More than �10m of lottery cash is to be spent tackling health problems across Scotland.

The money, from the New Opportunities Fund, will be used to create 12 healthy living centres.

Most of these will support general community-based projects, but two are specifically targeted at sensory impairment and sexual health.

The investment will bring the number of healthy living centres in Scotland to 44.

Mary Mulligan: "Key priorities"

More than �900,000 has been awarded to a countrywide project which aims to help people with dual sensory impairment.

Deafblind Scotland's chief executive, Drena O'Malley, said the cash would help "one of society's most socially excluded groups".

"Deafblind people suffer poor health because they cannot access the information and resources made available to the general population," she said.

"With this new healthy living centre we will endeavour to change the current situation."

Another award of over �900,000 will be made to set up a lesbian, gay and transgender healthy living centre in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

'Important issues'

This aims to tackle the higher-than-average suicide rate among its client group and significant problems associated with nicotine, alcohol and drug misuse.

Deputy Health Minister Mary Mulligan said all the new centres would "play an important part" in improving the health of local communities.

"It's great to see such a large range of projects tackling a huge variety of important issues from diet and physical activity to mental health, drugs, alcohol and sexual health," she said.

"These are the key priorities for improving Scotland's health."