The country's top football clubs have been asked to help tackle youth unemployment by sending representatives to attend a summit today with the First Minister at Bute House.

Jack McConnell visited learning support centres operated by Celtic and Rangers two months ago and this morning will meet young people at Tynecastle taking part in Hearts' Support Employment programme before he attends the Bute House summit.

Ministers hope the meeting will result in a new initiative between government and the top 12 clubs to tackle the problem of young people not in education, employment or training.

Lex Gold, executive chairman of the Scottish Premier League, said: "It is excellent that the Scottish Executive is focusing on the issue. It is an area in which Scottish football clubs already do a lot of good work. The meeting is designed to explore what more the SPL clubs can do with, and for, these disaffected youngsters."