A £23.5million investment will ensure the 2014 Commonwealth Games provide a lasting legacy for Scotland.

First Minister Alex Salmond said the tournament should kick-start a "physical regeneration" across the country.

He was joined by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the People's Palace in Glasgow for Tuesday’s launch of a legacy blueprint for the Games.

It follows the announcement of £18million in Sportscotland funding to support athletes, improve sports facilities and coaching and create a national network of community sports hubs.

A further £5.5million is being ploughed into the legacy fund from the Big Lottery 2014 communities grants programme.

Mr Salmond said: "As well as having great ambitions for Scotland's sporting stars at the 2014 Games, this Government has great aspirations for the event to be a catalyst for physical, economic and social regeneration.

"A Games legacy for Scotland outlines an ambitious long-term approach that aims to capitalise on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to host a major international sporting event in the heart of Scotland."

Ms Sturgeon, the Health Secretary, added that the games present an opportunity to improve Scotland’s wellbeing and stressed that improving sporting participation rates was at the heart of the plan.
 
Louise Martin, chair of sportscotland, said: "Over the next five years sportscotland will focus on leading the development of the new community sports hubs concept, to raise the profile of sport and physical activity in local communities, encouraging an increase in participation."

Big Lottery Fund Scotland's Dharmendra Kanani said: "A community legacy of the 2014 Games must be planned for and invested in many years before the advent of the Games. We have demonstrated this commitment by establishing our 2014 Communities Fund."