Scotland has witnessed a decrease in the amount of alcohol sold per adult in the country, primarily due to an increase in alcohol sales through supermarkets and off-licences, according to a report by NHS Health Scotland.

An analysis of the data revealed that around 10.7l of pure alcohol was sold per adult in Scotland in 2014 which equals to 41 bottles of vodka, 114 bottles of wine or 470 pints of beer.

Around 72% of the alcohol was sold through off-sales, which is the highest market share since 1994.

NHS Health Scotland public health information manager Dr Mark Robinson said: "It is concerning that the recent falls in population alcohol consumption have not continued and that off-trade alcohol sales may be starting to rise again.

"This has coincided with increasing disposable incomes and wider economic conditions that have kept the price of off-sales alcohol low.

"Higher levels of alcohol consumption result in higher levels of alcohol-related harm and these present a substantial public health and economic cost to Scotland. It is therefore important that we continue to monitor these trends to inform and evaluate policy."

Scotland saw 18% increase in alcohol sales compared to England and Wales in 2014 due to an increase in the sales of lower priced alcohol through supermarkets and off-licences, particularly spirits.

The average price of a unit of alcohol sold through off-sales in 2014 was found to be the same as 2013, 52p.