SUPPORT for an independent Scotland has climbed to 48%, according to a new poll for STV.

The poll found that, of those likely to vote: 46% backed independence; 50% backed the union; and 4% were undecided or refused to answer.

With the undecideds removed, the percentage backing independence rose to 48%.

However, the data points to support for a second referendum within the next three years sitting at only 41%.

The poll, commissioned by STV and carried out by Ipsos Mori, also discovered that 61% believe that the UK and Scotland's economy will both be damaged by Brexit.

The data also looked forward to the next UK general election and discovered that support for Labour had overtaken the Tories in Scotland, while the SNP remained the clear favourite.

Of those likely to vote: 39% backed the SNP; 26% backed Labour; 25% backed the Conservatives; 6% for the Lib Dems; and 4% for the Greens.

Looking at the results, Emily Gray, managing director of Ipsos MORI Scotland, said: "Scots are pessimistic about the impact that Brexit will have on the economy, both here in Scotland and across the UK.

"However, Scots' pessimism about Brexit doesn't appear to be giving rise to a clamour for a second referendum on Scotland's constitutional future."