around half of care home residents in Scotland have dementia.

That’s one of several shocking statistics surrounding the increase in the disease that have been highlighted by Jackson Carlaw MSP, Conservative Health spokesman for the West of Scotland.

Mr Carlaw says the “curse” of dementia is a a health and social care timebomb.

His comments follow concerns by Largs Community Council who heard that Largs was the “dementia” capital of North Ayrshire.

The MSP added: “It is one of the 21st century’s major health challenges, and with Scotland likely to have a population that ages at a greater rate than the rest of the UK, we need to be ready.

“The Scottish Government has been warned for some time that this is very much a health and social care timebomb.

“The time to act was several years ago, and frankly not only the Scottish Government but all of us have been too slow to respond.

“We need the NHS and local authorities properly equipped now to ensure those suffering from this terrible illness, and their families, can be looked after as well as possible.” He said prescription drugs given out to treat dementia had risen sharply over the last year.

Around £8.3 million was spent in 2013/14 handing out tablets to manage the rapidly increasing condition.

New statistics show that, last year, a total of 215,358 items were dispensed - 32,000 more than 2012/13.