The number of Scots in work has jumped by 15,000 in three months, new figures show.

As revealed in later editions of yesterday's Evening Times, official statistics reveal that over the period November to January, there were 2,561,000 people in employment north of the border.

That total is just 1000 less than it was prior to the recession, according to the Scottish Government.

Employment has now increased for the last 13 months, with the new total 79,000 higher than it was 12 months ago.

Unemployment also fell over the same period, dropping by 6000 to stand at 190,000.

Scotland's unemployment rate has now fallen to 6.9% and remains lower than the UK rate of 7.2%.

The number of people who are out of work and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell too, reducing by 3300 between January and February to 106,800 -with this total 30,400 less than the same time in 2013.

Education Secretary Mike Russell said: "Today's labour market figures show that the number of people in employment in Scotland continues to increase, bringing the country close to pre-recession employment levels, whilst the unemployment rate has fallen to below 7%.

"On all three key measures of employment, unemployment and inactivity rates, Scotland continues to outperform the UK."

He said the boost in employment underlined the "strength of Scotland's economy".

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said the figures show the country is doing well as part of the UK.

He said: "Creating the environment where businesses can create jobs and get people into employment is central to the Government's long-term economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy.

"Today's figures show this plan is working for Scotland -that means more people into work and a Scottish economy that is going from strength to strength within the UK."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said: "Today's figures show that by working together across the UK we can continue to share in the economic progress whilst shaping our own domestic agenda in Scotland. In Scotland and across the UK... unemployment continues to drop and our economic growth has continued its positive trend."

Scottish Labour's Iain Gray said it was the first time in five years the unemployment rate had been under 7%.

He said: "The fall is welcome but we still have some way to go before the rate is down to pre-recession levels, which sat at under 5% in December 2007."

Liz Cameron, the chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, welcomed the increase in employment, but said more needed to be done to help women into work.