A charity is calling on Scots to give up a favourite treat like coffee or chocolate for the 40 days of Lent and give the money saved to a campaign to help some of the poorest people in the world.

Last year, £3.4 million was raised by the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (Sciaf) Wee Box appeal - three times more than the previous highest amount.

Deacon Blue's Ricky Ross and broadcaster Michelle McManus launched this year's Lent appeal, which tells the story of the charity's work helping poor cattle herders in Ethiopia to cope with drought.

Funds raised also support the charity's work helping families living with hunger, poverty, war and natural disasters across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan, boxer Charlie Flynn and comedian Des Clarke are also supporting the campaign.

Ross said: "Sciaf's Wee Box appeal reminds me how lucky I am.

"So many people in the world don't have enough food to eat or clean water to drink.

"Sciaf works tirelessly to change that by giving people the seeds, farm tools and training they need to grow food and feed their families."

Scotland manager Strachan said: "It's a tragedy that nearly one billion people in the world live in desperate poverty and go hungry every day. But we can all do something about it.

"By filling up one of Sciaf's Wee Boxes you can support the charity's life-changing work in some of the poorest countries in the world, helping families to grow more food, earn an income and work their way to a better future."

Every pound given to Sciaf by May 4 will be doubled by the UK Government through Aid Match.

Charity director Alistair Dutton said: "Everything people give to Sciaf's's Wee Box Lent appeal means poor families can get the help they need, like good seeds, farming tools, training and small loans, so they can grow food, earn an income and have a better future.

"Thank you to everyone who supports our work, including high-profile Scots like Ricky Ross, Michelle McManus, Libby McArthur, Gordon Strachan, Des Clarke, Charlie Flynn, Kaye Adams and the Proclaimers."