A cash fund has been set up to boost Scotland's organic sector after new figures showed the amount of organic land fell for the seventh year in a row.

Less than one-fortieth (2.3%) of agricultural land was classed as organic in 2015, down from 4% in 2007.

Meanwhile, in Europe, the percentage of farmland that is organic has been rising, reaching nearly 6% in 2014.

The amount of organic land in Scotland fell by 7% in 2015 to about 126,000 hectares, according to new figures published by the Scottish Government.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the £50,000 development fund would help implement the industry's action plan for 2016 to 2020.

Mr Ewing said: "The supply and demand of organic food has a significant role to play in driving forward Scotland's rural economy whilst contributing to protecting the environment.

"The Scottish Government is committed to developing this sector, which is why I'm delighted to support it with the Organic Ambitions Fund.

"The aim is to strengthen and promote Scotland's organic food and drink supply chain through better partnership working.

"Organic spend in Scotland increased by 2.6% between February 2015 and January 2016, and around £52.6 million was spent on organic food and drink products in Scotland in the year up to January 31 2016."

Scottish Organic Forum chair David Michie said: "This is excellent news.

"Funding of this kind is vitally important if we are to achieve the goals our national organic action plan sets out, and allow the organic sector in Scotland to thrive."