Unemployment in Scotland has fallen by a record 40,000 as the number of those in work increased to 2,611,000, new figures show.

There were 151,000 people out of work between June and August but there was an increase in employment of 35,000 during the same period - up by 52,000 compared to the same quarter last year.

Scotland's unemployment rate is now below that for the UK as a whole, at 5.5% north of the border compared to 6%. The employment rate in Scotland of 73.9% is also above the UK average of 73%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

Meanwhile, the number of Scots who are out of work and claiming jobseeker's allowance rose by 300 from August to 91,100 in September - but the level is down by 30,500 on September last year.

Figures released today also show that Scottish GDP grew by 0.9% during the second quarter of 2014 and increased by 2.6% on an annual basis.

The labour market statistics also show the number of women in employment reached a record high of 1,284,000, with the female employment rate in Scotland above the UK figure at 71.4% compared to 68.1%.

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said the data shows Scotland is "moving in the right direction".

"The biggest quarterly fall in Scottish unemployment since records began and confirmation that Scotland's economy has now grown for two consecutive years is very welcome news," he said.

"This year we have seen new record high levels of employment and today marks another record high, with more Scottish women in employment than ever before.

"Challenges remain, as the rise in the number of Scots claiming jobseeker's allowance shows. This however comes off 18 consecutive months where the number has fallen and there are 30,500 less Scots claiming jobseeker's allowance than one year ago."

First Minister Alex Salmond also welcomed the figures as he addressed the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) conference in Glasgow this morning.

He said: "In the midst of referendum campaigning, employment rose by 35,000 in Scotland, to reach almost 74%; while unemployment fell by 40,000 - the largest quarterly fall since records began.

"In the months running up to the referendum, Scotland's economy was powering forward, with this April - June quarter showing the fastest annual growth in GDP since late 2007.

"In other words, political confidence and economic confidence go hand in hand. There is no trade-off between democratic participation and real economic growth.

"As the Scottish economy grows our task is to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from that economic success. With discussion on further powers for the Scottish Parliament now taking place it is essential that we have the full tools we need to support employment opportunities for everyone in Scotland."

Angela Constance, the Training, Youth and Women's Employment Secretary hailed the figures as "excellent news".

"We now have the highest jobs figures in history, the highest female employment in history, the lowest level of unemployment since the end of 2008, lower unemployment than the rest of the UK and higher employment and lower inactivity," she said.

"And I am particularly pleased to see female employment in Scotland reaching a record high.

"Last week's budget set out key measures - including £16 million of additional investment in tackling youth employment and £4.5 billion of investment in infrastructure that will secure continued growth and further improvements in employment."

Liz Cameron, director of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "These are concrete signs of an economy that is looking forward with optimism and of businesses which have ambitions to grow.

"The clear priority in the labour market now must be to boost our productivity and ensure that both businesses and employees reach their full potential. It is through increased productivity that businesses will achieve growth and that we will begin to see a rise in real wages, which continue to lag behind inflation."