The number of people in Scotland with arthritis is set to double by 2030, a charity has claimed.

Arthritis is already the biggest cause of pain and disability in Scotland and the number of people suffering from the condition could increase to 1.8 million, Arthritis Care Scotland has said.

It warns the increase will impact not only on the wellbeing of individuals but on the NHS, the welfare system and the Scottish economy.

The charity highlighted the issue as it unveiled its manifesto for the Scottish Parliament elections, titled A Step in the Right Direction.

The document is based on a survey of over 450 people living with arthritis in Scotland, who were asked what they wanted from their politicians.

Director of Arthritis Care Scotland, Angela Donaldson-Bruce, said: "People living with arthritis in Scotland have told us that they feel invisible and that their condition is not understood.

"Too often seen as a condition of old age, arthritis in fact impacts on all ages, from children and young people to the working age population and older people.

"Our manifesto represents all of those people. As the number of people with arthritis doubles over the coming years, this is a voice that simply cannot be ignored.

"Raising awareness of the lived experience of arthritis is the starting point for the main steps that our politicians need to take."

The charity is calling for a series of steps including support for specialist NHS services.