Local authorities in the west of Scotland should work together more closely to help protect public services.

That is the conclusion of a new report which is written by former Strathclyde University Principal, Sir John Arbuthnott.

Sir John has been looking at how eight councils might be able to pool services in a more efficient way.

The local authorities involved were West and East Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow and Inverclyde.

Between them, the eight local authorities have a budget of around £6.5 billion a year and employ 76,000 people. The aim of the study was to find ways of allowing the eight local authorities to work more efficiently.

The options suggested by Sir John include councils and health boards working more closely together to integrate the health and social care services.

The report also suggests sharing offices, buildings and services such as transport. There are also calls for education departments working more closely together in issues like supply teachers.

The accumulated area of the councils are home to 1.75 million people - more than a third of Scotland's population.