Nicola Sturgeon has urged the UK Government to lower taxes on the oil and gas industry in the Budget in March.

The First Minister said chancellor George Osborne should take "urgent action" to protect jobs in the North Sea as she convened a special session of the Scottish Cabinet in Edinburgh.

Finance secretary John Swinney will now seek an urgent meeting with the chancellor to set out the Scottish Government's view.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed the work of the energy jobs taskforce established in January 2015 and due to complete its work this month would be extended.

It follows the announcement BP is to cut around 600 jobs in the North Sea amid plummeting oil prices.

The First Minister said the Scottish Government would work with the industry to help remove barriers to exploration, support the training and reskilling of staff, enable technology to improve production and address issues of access to finance.

She said: "There is no doubt the industry is currently facing an extremely challenging outlook but oil and gas can continue to make a significant contribution to the Scottish economy and energy security for decades to come.

"However, this will only be achieved if we support the industry through this difficult period, encourage investment and ensure it remains well placed to benefit from a future upturn in oil prices.

"Cabinet today agreed to focus our efforts, along with those of the energy jobs taskforce, on the key areas of skills, exploration, innovation, and access to finance."

Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish Government's actions needed to be matched by a commitment from Westminster to address the fiscal regime in which the industry operates.

She added: "Only the chancellor can deliver the competitive tax regime that the sector requires at this moment and following our discussions today we will continue to make the case to the UK Government for urgent action in the forthcoming Budget to lower the tax burden on the industry, a move that will help to protect jobs and investment."

Dr Lena Wilson, chairwoman of the energy jobs taskforce, said: "It is vital we continue to work together to do everything possible to support the industry during this challenging period and by focusing on the areas set out by the First Minister today, collectively, the industry and the public sector can safeguard the future of our world renowned oil and gas sector for decades to come."

Earlier in the day, energy secretary Amber Rudd delivered a presentation to the UK Cabinet on Tuesday on the North Sea oil industry.

A Number 10 spokesman said the presentation was made "in the context of the falling oil price and the impact that is having on the oil industry".

The spokesman added: "There was a discussion around that and around how we move forward to ensure that we continue to support that industry as much as we can."