Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has raised the prospect of weekend courts to ensure no suspect spends longer than 12 hours in detention, but said this may have "financial implications".

The Scottish Government is seeking views in a consultation on how to implement recommendations of the recent Carloway Review of the investigation and prosecution of crime.

Lord Carloway also made a raft of recommendations to reform arrest and detention, including the right to legal advice when taken into custody and a 12-hour limit on the period of arrest before charge.

Mr MacAskill said: "The changes proposed by Lord Carloway are far-reaching and radical. There may be more prosecutions in serious cases. There may be a need for weekend courts.

"We cannot ignore the financial implications of the proposed changes and detailed modelling work will be required.

"However, our focus is firmly upon the best structure for our legal system and modernising it."

The review found some suspects detained on a Thursday morning were not bailed until the Monday evening, a situation described as "unacceptable".

The justice system should ensure "that suspects are not unnecessarily or disproportionately held in custody, especially over weekend periods" it found.

Another key recommendation was the removal of the requirement for two sources of evidence to secure a conviction, known as corroboration.