GLASGOW school's sex education curriculum is "tailored" to meet the needs of the city's young people, the council has said.

A recent survey carried out by HIV Scotland found Scottish youngsters wanted more sex education in schools, with many still confused about topics such as HIV transmission and prevention.

However, a the city council insists its programme, which begins as early as nursery schools in some cases, prepares school leavers on how to protect their sexual health.

A council spokeswoman told the Evening Times: “Our schools work with a range of partners to shape the sex education curriculum and pupils feedback via the health and well being survey on a range of topics too.

Read more: Glasgow rail chaos as unsafe Ayr building disrupts dozens of services

"The lessons have been developed to be age appropriate and are delivered at all stages of education

“The sexual health and relationships education curriculum deals with emotions, friendships, self-esteem and respect as well as physical development and sexual health.

“The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of pupils in Glasgow as they grow into young adults and is also designed to involve parents so they are prepared for any questions that crop up at home.

The survey of 2,806 pupils across 418 schools in Scotland revealed while the vast majority of schools across the country provide lessons, more than half of pupils did not participate in sexual health lessons.

It found that 16 per cent of pupils reported only receiving sexual health lessons less than a few times a year and 41 per cent did not know where to go for sexual health services.

On HIV, 34 per cent of students said they did not know how to minimise HIV risk, with few aware of transmission and prevention.

Just over a quarter believe that HIV can be transmitted through kissing, 45 per cent through spitting and 34 per cent via toilet seats.

Read more: Funnyman Kevin Bridges snubbed by Nicole Scherzinger after telling her about Celtic song

Half of all students said they wanted more information on HIV transmission at school.

Nathan Sparling, head of policy and campaigning at HIV Scotland, said: "This is the largest survey of young people in Scotland, specifically focused on their experiences of sexual health education in schools.

"It shows that students in Scotland need and want better sexual health education, that informs them about the modern-day realities of HIV and how to prevent it.

"Let's be clear, HIV cannot be transmitted through spitting, kissing or toilet seats.

"When people living with HIV are on effective treatment, the virus is reduced to such a low level in their body that they are not able pass the virus on to others.

"These facts should be used to inform new generations about HIV, challenging stigma at the same time."