Asylum seekers are shadowing in Scottish classes

The majority of those interviewed for Oxfam also said Scotland should welcome those fleeing persecution.

The survey of 1,000 people found 83% said asylum seekers should be allowed to work and 64% said Scotland should be a safe haven.

More than half also did not want children kept in secure accommodation.

Acting head of Oxfam in Scotland Judith Robertson said: "The poll shows strong support for the humanitarian principle that those suffering persecution can seek safe haven in Scotland.

Freedoms such as being allowed to work and participate in society are key Annie Asylum seeker

"This is a welcome affirmation that Scots still see their country as one which should offer sanctuary for people escaping from human rights abuses or conflict."

Annie is an asylum seeker from Zambia, who lives in Glasgow and is secretary of the refugee community organisation, Karibu.

She said: "People run away from war to seek asylum and freedom, but when they come here they find their freedoms are restricted and they don't have the same freedoms Scots enjoy.

"Freedoms such as being allowed to work and participate in society are key.

"Asylum seekers are eager to adopt this country, to integrate and contribute but we are limited under the law."

Dungavel detention centre has been a focus for protests

She added that without work to support themselves, people can lose skills and suffer low self-esteem and depression.

Ian Duncan, from the Scottish Refugee Council, said: "This poll confirms Scotland's reputation for tolerance and fair mindedness.

"Scotland's people do not want to turn away those fleeing from persecution, or to incarcerate them like criminals."

Mr Duncan added that many asylum seekers also had skills that Scotland desperately needed and called on the Scottish Executive to work more to tap a badly needed resource already "sitting on our doorstep".