Image: Plans include the first even Young People's Sport Panel

The Scottish government is to look into new ways to increase physical activity levels in young people.

Sport Minister Shona Robison said that a new Youth Sport Strategy will be developed, which will include the first ever Young People's Sports Panel - consisting of 16 people between the ages of 14 and 24 who are passionate about sport and want to make a difference.

The panel will be developed by sportscotland, in partnership with Young Scot, and will be tasked with engaging young people across Scotland to find ways of increasing the profile of school sport and getting more young people motivated and involved in the lead up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Robison said: "The strategy we will now develop will look at what more needs to be done to make sport and physical activity a habit that stays with young people throughout their lives.

"That could mean making PE lessons in school more enjoyable, making sure we offer older secondary pupils a reason to keep active while sitting exams, or forging better links with local sport clubs.

"Young people will be at the heart of this work, feeding in their experiences and helping ensure we deliver the best, most appropriate opportunities to all of our young people and future generations."