Scots are now less likely to donate

The move comes after recent high profile scandals surrounding Breast Cancer Research Scotland and children's charity Moonbeams.

Voluntary organisations have formed the Giving Scotland group to urge the public not to stop donating.

A recent poll found that more than half of Scots surveyed said they were less likely to give to charity.

One cancer charity has seen donations fall by almost a third.

Charity regulator

Only a fraction of the money raised for the Breast Cancer Research Scotland and Moonbeams organisations actually went on good causes.

More than a dozen Scottish charities have now grouped together as Giving Scotland.

It is launching a radio, television and newspaper campaign calling on the public to start giving again.

We are encouraging people who are maybe apprehensive about giving to get in touch with the charity they are interested in Fiona Duncan Giving Scotland

The organisation's Fiona Duncan said: "This will hopefully re-establish the dialogue between donors and charities.

"We are encouraging people who are maybe apprehensive about giving to get in touch with the charity they are interested in.

"They should actually start talking to them, ask them how their donation would be spent and get a copy of the annual report which will give them all the information they need about what that charity does."

Ministers are setting up an Office of Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR), with powers to grant charitable status and to investigate and take action in cases of mismanagement and misconduct.