More than 60 per cent of Scots do not want the BBC to introduce a Scottish Six news bulletin, according to a new poll.

The BBC is currently looking at replacing its six o'clock news and Reporting Scotland bulletins with a new hour-long programme.

However, a YouGov poll for The Times has shown that the project is unpopular among viewers.

When asked, "Thinking about how the evening news is broadcast on the BBC, which of the following would you prefer to see?" 63 per cent agreed: "The BBC in Scotland should continue to show the same 6 O'clock News as the rest of the UK, followed by half an hour of specifically Scottish news aimed at Scottish viewers".

A further twenty three per cent agreed "The BBC in Scotland should show a different 6 O'clock News programme to the rest of the UK, with an hour of news aimed specifically at Scottish viewers, including international, British and Scottish news."

Fourteen per cent said they were unsure.

The survey asked 1,070 Scots adults for their views on the Scottish Six plan.

The poll also suggested that backing for the new programme was also low among people who voted for independence, with 45 per cent against the proposals and 40 per cent supporting it.

It has been reported that the BBC has received a string of complaints over the plans, with sources telling The Times that the project could require £5m investment and 60 journalists.

Around 14,500 have now signed a petition against the Scottish Six plans, which were described as 'a descent into inward-looking parochialism' by Lord Forsyth last month.

However, Alex Salmond has said the new bulletin 'would aim to provide Scotland's window on the world'.

Earlier this month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Holyrood the plan was 'a really exciting opportunity'.

Plans for a Scottish Six have plunged BBC Scotland into turmoil.

Staff have voiced anger at an "insulting" internal document which, they claim, implies the present Glasgow-based news team is not up to the job.

They are also furious at having learned of the plans in a newspaper report, and over demands to produce a series of complex pilot shows at short notice.