Being part of the UK offers Scotland the "best of both worlds", Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael MP said as he launched a booklet about its benefits.

He said the UK brings "striking" benefits which have served Scotland well and will continue to do so.

His comments coincided with the publication of the 24-page booklet, which sets out what it describes as a wide range of benefits the Union brings, such as the pound, the single UK domestic market, a "vibrant and secure" financial sector and institutions like the BBC.

It also highlights the ­positives of devolution, with a Scottish Parliament that makes decisions on issues affecting everyday life like schools, childcare, healthcare, justice and policing.

The booklet is the latest information pack designed to provide voters with information to help them make a decision ahead of the Scottish independence referendum on September 18.

Mr Carmichael said: "As this booklet emphasises, being part of the UK - the greatest political and economic union the world has ever known - gives Scotland the best of both worlds.

"We have stability and certainty, jobs and opportunities. The benefits of the UK are striking - it has served us well and will continue to serve us well.

Mr Carmichael described the Scottish Government's economic and fiscal plans as "totally threadbare".

A spokesman for Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "People in Scotland are becoming sick of this Tory-led Westminster Government talking Scotland down.

"Alistair Carmichael is merely giving a lick of paint to the same old scare stories with this flimsy pamphlet."