HOUSEHOLDERS in and around Ayr make more insurance claims for housebreakings per capita than anywhere else in Scotland - driving up their premiums.

MoneySuperMarket found the KA6 postcode - which covers parts of south and east Ayrshire - was the most at risk in Scotland, just ahead of parts of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with 17 claims per 1000 people.

However, six out of the top 10 at-risk postcodes were G for Glasgow, the company found.

The analysis reflects insurance risk rather than actual housebreakings.

The company said householders Fliving in higher risk postcodes in Scotland will pay 4.6% more for home insurance than the national average, an extra £6.50 per policy annually.

Its home insurance expert Kevin Pratt said: "There are clearly claim hotspots around the country with a higher proportion of insurance claims for burglary than others; however this doesn't actually mean the area is a less pleasant place to live."