The amount of money seized from criminals and diverted to youth groups has reached £50million on the fifth anniversary of the launch of CashBack for Communities.

The scheme was boosted by £5.6m in funds taken by the Crown under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The new cash is being forfeited by Aberdeen-based drilling firm Abbot Group which accepted that it benefited from "unlawful conduct".

Corrupt payments were brought to light last year following inquiries by an overseas tax authority which resulted in an investigation by a firm of solicitors and a firm of accountants instructed by Abbot itself.

None of the people involved in the payments remain with the group, which said it is "deeply disappointed" over what took place.

Six national youth organisations, such as the Scouts, with a combined membership of 171,000, will be able to access the first release of £1.5m from the total.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "CashBack funding has directly benefited over 600,000 young people."