Poorer areas have more shops selling cigarettes and alcohol than wealthier communities according to a new study.

Researchers found that the pattern could be contributing to health inequalities and higher rates of smoking and alcohol related illnesses among people on lower incomes.

The study by academics from Glasgow and Edinburgh universities studied the number of off sales and shops selling tobacco across the country and compared it to deprivation statistics.

It found places with the lowest average household incomes have the highest number of alcohol and tobacco outlets per head of population while the most well-off parts of the country have the fewest.

Dr Niamh Shortt, senior lecturer in human geography at the University of Edinburgh, who led the study, said: "We already knew that alcohol and tobacco-related illnesses disproportionately affect people in deprived areas and this study confirms that these areas also have the highest concentrations of alcohol and tobacco outlets.

"We need to alter the environments in which people live, including restricting the availability of these products. Failing to tackle a broader set of factors, including retail environments, may exacerbate health inequalities."

Government statistics show Glasgow has 527 off sales licences and is also home to the areas with the highest levels of deprivation.

The study said reducing the concentration of these outlets in the poorest areas could help improve public health and address health inequalities.

The authors said links between deprivation, outlet density and disease should be considered when drawing up tobacco and alcohol policies.

The paper published in the BMC Public Health journal will be presented at a conference on alcohol policy tomorrow attended by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.