Scotland has seen a marked increase in the number of new businesses beginning to trade, according to new data.

Second-quarter figures from the Committee of Scottish Clearing Bankers (CSCB) show that 5,905 new start-up firms opened bank accounts in Scotland.

The figure, at exactly 500 more the same period last year, indicates an overall 9% increase, which was represented across all business sectors

“These figures show a very encouraging increase in the numbers of business start-ups opening bank accounts in Scotland,” said Charles Munn, of the CSCB.

“This marks the highest figure for new start-ups in Scotland for more than three years.”

Real Estate claimed nearly half of all of Scotland’s new firms, with 2,299 opening their doors.

Wholesalers and retailers were the next-most prevalent, as 920 started trading in the second quarter. New construction firms came in third with 641.

Unsurprisingly, Scotland’s largest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, were the most popular places to start up.