TURNOUT surged across Scotland as record numbers turned out to vote in some areas, and all constituencies looking set to record significant rises compared to the last UK election.

In some seats, it increased by more than 10 per cent on 2010 levels, with commentators saying a more engaged electorate following the referendum was behind the rise.

In East Renfrewshire, where Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy was defeated, a record 81.2 per cent cast a ballot, up from 77.3 per cent.

In Dundee East, 72 per cent of eligible voters went to the polls, up from 62 per cent five years ago. Both Paisley and Renfrewshire North and Paisley and Renfrewshire South also saw increases of at least ten per cent.

Reacting to the figures, the Electoral Reform Society Scotland said: "Great to see political engagement still high in Scotland."

Across Glasgow, which has traditionally reported a relatively low turnout, there were also significant rises.

Glasgow East, where Margaret Curran lost to SNP candidate Natalie McGarry in one of the most deprived constituencies in the UK, more than six in ten voters turned out, compared to just 52 per cent in the last general election.

Meanwhile, Glasgow Central and Glasgow South saw a rise of around five per cent, while in Glasgow South West, it increased seven per cent.

Ahead of the vote, it has been predicted that the vote on independence last September, which saw record numbers join the electoral register and 85 per cent voted, would see leave a legacy in the form of another high turnout.

Spread betting firm Sporting Index, which had forecast a turnout of around 74 per cent north of the border in the run-up to the vote, said the lingering disappointment for many since September was a factor behind the phenomenon.

Ed Fulton, the firm's political trading spokesman, also said the performance of the SNP's leader had an impact.

He said: "The popularity of Nicola Sturgeon and her Scottish National Party has injected some passion and energy into the political arena. With the SNP bandwagon flying along, our traders predict Scottish turnout to be several percentage points higher than the rest of the UK, as voters look to punish Labour in particular and usher in a new era of Scottish politics."

Meanwhile, in Inverclyde, a 75.25 per cent turnout was recorded, a huge increase from the 63.4 per cent in 2010, and 45.4 in a by-election the following year.