Scotland has the second most affordable mortgages in the UK, according to a study that reported significant improvement in their affordability.

Mortgage payments now account for 22% of disposable earnings for people living in Scotland, down from a peak of 38% five years ago.

It is beaten only by Northern Ireland, where 20% of disposable earnings go towards mortgage payments.

The UK average is 28% and in London the proportion is 36%, research by Bank of Scotland found.

In other findings, seven of the 10 most affordable local authority districts are in Scotland.

West Dunbartonshire is the most affordable area in Scotland and the second most affordable in the UK, with typical mortgage payments accounting for 17.6% of average local earnings.