Scots overwhelmingly support calls for more money to be ploughed into further and higher education, according to a newspaper poll.

The survey, which appeared in The Herald newspaper on Saturday, suggested that people were keen to see the Cubie Committee recommendations into student finance put into practice.

Committee members concluded that up-front tuition fees should be abolished and suggested a system of deferred payment after students have graduated and reached an annual income of more than £25,000 per annum.

The System Three poll suggested that 80% of those interviewed backed Cubie, 9% were opposed and 11% were undecided.

Out of the Liberal Democrat supporters questioned, 77% were in favour of extra funding being made available, Conservative support was shown to be 2% higher at 79% and Labour and SNP support come in at 82%.

Age group distinctions

When broken down into age groups, the strongest backing (88%) for extra cash came from the 18 to 34 age bracket.

Those in the 35 to 54 age group - most likely to be parents supporting children in post-school education - were 83% in favour and the over 55s were 70% in favour.

A breakdown of Scottish regions revealed that the highest support for increased spending was 86% of those questioned in the Highlands and Islands.

The lowest level of support (69%) came from people in the south of Scotland.

System Three pollsters interviewed 978 people in 39 constituencies between 6-13 January.

The issue of tution fees has threatened to ruin the Scottish coalition between Labour and Lib Dem.