LIFE expectancy rates for men in Clackmannanshire has improved by three years, according to new figures.

The National Records of Scotland's latest report into the statistics shows that a male born in Clackmannanshire between 2017-2019 can now expect to live until they are, on average, 78.6 years of age.

A female born in the same period can expect to reach an average age of 79.8.

Out of the whole country, the figures put the Wee County ninth last out of the 32 council areas, with Glasgow having the worst expectancy in Scotland, with males at 73.6 and females at 78.5.

But while the figures put Clackmannanshire near the foot of the table, the estimates have increased in the past decade for men, although a female's expectancy has dropped in that time.

Between 2008-2010, male life expectancy in the area was 75.6, a whole three years less than they can expect to live now.

For females in the same period, they were expected to live until they were 80.5, meaning a drop of 0.7 years in that time.

Scotland as a whole continues to have the lowest life expectancy at birth of all UK countries.

Life expectancy at birth in the UK was 79.4 years for males and 83.1 years for females in 2017-2019. However, in Scotland, it is just 77.1 years for men and 81.1 years for women in Scotland.

Julie Ramsay, head of vital events statistics at NRS, said: "The rate of life expectancy growth has stalled over the last few years in Scotland and this has been broadly reflective of the picture throughout the country.

"Life expectancy varies considerably across Scotland, for example, life expectancy for both males and females is at its lowest in Glasgow City, where males are expected to live to 73.6 years and females to 78.5.

"Life expectancy for females is highest in East Renfrewshire at 84.0 years and male life expectancy was highest in East Dunbartonshire at 80.5 years."