Scotland will lose six UK Parliament constituencies after a review taking place this week concludes.

The Boundary Commission for Scotland has begun work to redraw electoral boundaries, reducing the number of constituencies in Scotland from 59 to 53.

It is in line with rules introduced by the UK Government in 2011 that will cut the number of constituencies across the UK from 650 to 600.

Under the changes, constituencies will be reconfigured to have broadly equal numbers of voters, defined as within 5% of 74,769.2, the average electorate per constituency across the UK.

England will lose 32 of its 533 seats; Wales 11 of 40 and Northern Ireland one of its 18 constituencies. Two Scottish island constituencies, Na h-Eileanan an Iar and Orkney and Shetland, will be protected under the new rules.

The commission will make recommendations on new boundaries to the Scottish secretary by October 1, 2018, in time for the next Westminster elections in 2020.

Proposals will be published later in 2016 to give the public the opportunity to comment on them.

The commission's deputy chairman, Lord Matthews, said: "The rules within which we work put great emphasis on equal electorates across the UK, and as a result the review is likely to result in significant change for many constituencies in Scotland.

"Consultation remains a key part of the review process and we will fully consult upon our proposals in due course so people across Scotland can feed in their views".

Proposals will be published later this year. Similar work by separate commissions in each part of the UK will also begin on Wednesday.