Fund-raisers are battling to restore public confidence

Research by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations suggested up to 4,000 jobs are created each year.

The rate of growth has been sustained over the last five years, the study has suggested.

The findings were published as organisations gathered at the SECC in Glasgow for what was billed as the country's first voluntary sector fair.

The report found the sector, which has an annual turnover of �2.1bn, employs a far greater proportion of Scotland's workforce than was previously recognised.

The payroll size has been measured at 107,000 employees - a figure equivalent to 4.6% of all workers in Scotland.

Report author, Ruchir Shah, said: "The sector has been growing, particularly through the increased role of larger organisations in delivering public services.

'Positive force'

"This has contributed to the sustained rate of growth in employment that we have seen over the last five years which has seen the workforce expand by one sixth."

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations boss, Martin Sime, added: "At a time when Scotland seems to be shedding jobs it is good to know that our sector continues its impressive growth.

"These employees are in addition to the one million people who volunteer every year for the voluntary organisations."

He added: "The sector mobilises one-fifth of the Scottish population in activity that grows and supports civil society, making it the most positive force for change in Scotland today."

Charities are fighting to restore public confidence after recent scandals in the sector.

Last May Breast Cancer Research (Scotland) had its assets frozen after a probe found only �1.5m of �13m raised had actually been donated to charity.

In December, the directors and trustees of Edinburgh-based children's cancer charity Moonbeams were removed following a hearing at the Court of Session.