The report's authors say many people are seeking help over forced marriages

It concluded that almost half of marriages involving Scottish Asians and a partner from abroad involve coercion.

The three-year study found that many arranged unions are successful.

But it also uncovered a serious problem of marriage under duress, which it said could get worse unless the authorities give it a higher priority.

The Council of British Pakistanis Scotland has concluded that weddings which are forced or where the partners are incompatible account for half of those involving an Asian living in Scotland and a partner from outwith the UK.

It said some of the brides and grooms are still in their teens when they are taken to their parents' country of origin to be married.

Often they do not speak the same language as their spouse or share the same values.

Mohammed Akram, president of the council in Scotland, said: "The issue of forced and incompatible marriages has been virtually ignored by Scottish local authorities and the Scottish Executive, and we call upon Cosla and First Minister Jack McConnell to redress this issue without delay.

Many young persons' lives have been ruined and it has created family conflict which has made the issue of initial forced marriage even worse Huma Awan Project worker

"Whilst the Scottish police forces, particularly Lothian and Borders Police, have done a great deal of work on this issue especially where abuse is involved, the Scottish courts need to adopt a higher profile in this arena."

The report's authors said that each year more than 100 men and women contact them for help with police protection, divorce or reconciliation.

They said that number is twice as many as they would have expected.

Representatives of Scotland's Pakistani community concluded that forced marriages not only have a serious and negative effect on the two individuals concerned but also on the promotion of good race relations.

Huma Awan of the Incompatible Marriages Project said: "Some of the victims of forced marriages were no more than children who didn't know what a marriage was, let alone survive one.