The number of young people out of work is at its lowest level for six years, official figures have revealed.

New data from the Office for National Statistics shows 72,000 16 to 24-year-olds were unemployed in the period June to August this year - a drop of 29,000 over the year and the lowest level since 2008.

First Minister Alex Salmond said Scotland "remains among the top 10 best performing countries in the EU for youth unemployment".