evidence that a shortage of sunshine may explain Scotland's poor health record has been revealed.

Researchers, including a team at Edinburgh University, found more exposure to sunlight slowed weight gain and the development of diabetes in mice - even when they ate too much.

The experts are now seeking funding to study whether time in the sun has the same effect on Scottish people.

Dr Richard Weller, senior lecturer in dermatology at Edinburgh University, helped design the mice experiment. He said: "Scotland's health record is due to many things. We have poverty and smoking, but even when you account for these things we still are unhealthier than we should be. It is still not proven, but I think lack of sunlight is a very possible cause."

For the mouse study, which was carried out with researchers in Australia and Southampton, the researchers shone UV light on mice who had been overfed. They found these mice displayed fewer of the warning signs linked to diabetes, such as abnormal glucose levels.