Councils have paid out more than £3.5 million compensation to Scots motorists in the past five years for damage caused by potholes.

More than half of that cash has been paid out by Glasgow City Council. Payouts to drivers by the council have totalled £1,821,576 over the period 2007-08 to 2011-12, according to figures obtained by the Conservatives under a Freedom of Information request.

Across Scotland, drivers have received £3,558,201 from local authorities to compensate for damage caused by potholes over the five years. The amount is increasing, with £1,232,908 paid out last year, compared to just £342,476 in 2007-08.

It comes after a survey of members of the AA found those in Scotland were most likely to report pothole damage, with 44% saying their vehicles had suffered damage in the past two years.

Conservative transport spokesman Alex Johnstone said: "Potholes are a real problem across Scotland.

"If the SNP dropped its anti-car agenda and actually tried to improve the roads, it could help save the councils some money."

While Glasgow paid out more than £1.8m, Orkney Islands Council compensation payments totalled just £244. But Mr Johnstone said many drivers could have had their cars damaged by potholes but not made claims.

He said: "No-one wants to take action against the council because it's a lengthy and complex process. But times are tight and a trip to the garage is rarely a cheap one. These figures won't even include the many people who simply can't face the red tape and pay for the damage themselves."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "The maintenance of local roads is a matter for local authorities, who received almost £11 billion in Scottish Government funding this year."

Councillor David O'Neill, president of local government body Cosla, accused the Tories of "opportunistic council bashing" as he stressed authorities only pay compensation when instructed to do so by their lawyers.

Mr O'Neill said the Conservatives "should perhaps remember that councils are made up of all political parties and as they returned an increased number of councillors in the May elections, they are having a pop at themselves to a large extent".