The number of people finding themselves homeless fell last year, new figures suggest.

About 7,900 homelessness applications were received by Scottish councils between October and December 2014, a 5% drop on the same period the previous year.

The number of people assessed as homeless or likely to become homeless within two months also fell by 1% to around 6,800, according to figures published by Scotland's Chief Statistician.

Where contact was maintained, four out of five people went on to secure accommodation such as council housing, housing association or private lets.

Housing minister Margaret Burgess welcomed the figures, which she said showed significant progress had been made in reducing homelessness in Scotland.

Ms Burgess said: "Rather than only accepting a homelessness application, councils are working with employability, mental health, money advice and family mediation services to prevent homelessness happening in the first place.

"The housing options approach, already backed by Scottish Government investment of £950,000 and a commitment of a further £150,000 for 2015/16, has helped local authorities embrace prevention of homelessness in recent years.

"We will carry on working closely with local authorities and their partners to prevent homelessness, increase the number of affordable homes and address the issue of empty homes while looking to minimise the use of temporary accommodation."

An order passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2012 means that all people finding themselves unintentionally homeless are entitled to settled accommodation.

The Scottish Government said its housing voluntary grant scheme has allowed third-sector organisations, such as Age Scotland, Scottish Women's Aid and Shelter Scotland, to develop projects that prevent homelessness.