Proposals to "permanently change" the way national and local elections are run in Scotland are to be considered by MSPs.

The Scottish Parliament's Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee announced on Thursday it would explore the possibility of the time between elections in the country being extended from four to five years.

The idea was lodged as part of the Scottish Elections (Reform) Bill, which was published by the Scottish Government earlier this month.

Under the Bill, young people would also be able to be added to the electoral register ahead of attaining voting age at 16.

It would mean 14-year-olds could apply to be added to the electoral register.

Committee convener Bill Kidd said: "These proposals would permanently change the way national and local elections are run in Scotland.

"The way elections are run are one of the cornerstones of our civic life, so it is important that any changes have a positive and meaningful impact.

"The Bill proposals would allow young people to be added to the electoral register from 14 and we particularly want to hear from young people about what this change would mean to them and what impact this would have on their access to democracy."