The number of children living in poverty in Scotland has fallen, new figures have revealed.

Official statistics showed there were 200,000 youngsters classed as living in relative poverty in 2009-10.

The figure is a drop of 10,000 on the previous year and means 20% of children are affected by the problem.

According to the statistics, released by the Scottish Government, numbers of children living in relative poverty have dropped by 100,000 in the past 10 years.

The number of children in absolute poverty has also fallen, from 110,000 in 2008-09 to 100,000 in 2009-10.

However, Douglas Hamilton, head of Save the Children in Scotland, said the statistics were a "grim reminder" that child poverty is still an issue in Scotland.

He said: "Today's figures are a grim reminder that child poverty is still very much in existence in Scotland and our new government must now deliver on their rhetoric.

"The statistics show that there are still more than 200,000 children living in poverty in Scotland, which is an insignificantly small decline on last year's figure, and less of a drop than the UK as a whole.

"The statistics show that the poorest parents are struggling to provide for their children on less than £35 a day - which has to cover absolutely everything from housing to food, clothing, heating and transport.

"The new Scottish Government and Westminster now have a choice - either to end child poverty or to face the prospect of a lost generation.

"This is a prime time for the First Minister to set out his ambition for a fairer Scotland where no child grows up in poverty."

Overall, in 2009-10, 870,000 Scots were regarded as living in relative poverty, 17% of the population, while 500,000 were living in absolute poverty.

Relative poverty is defined as a couple having an income of £248 a week, while if a couple have an income of £209 a week they are classed as being in absolute poverty.