PROSECUTORS say they are dealing with a rise in the number of serious criminal cases while the staffing budget tightens.

The increase in complex work coupled with dwindling resources is creating a "huge risk" for the ­ criminal justice system, according to the Procurator Fiscal Society.

The body representing more than 350 legal staff, including senior lawyers at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), made the comments in a submission to Holyrood's justice committee on the draft Budget for 2014/15.

The society said: "While COPFS appear to have received an increase to the overall budget, upon further analysis it is apparent that the amount provided in the budget for staffing remains at £69.1 million. In real terms this is a £1.1 million cut in our staffing budget."