The use of secret bids in the purchase of homes in Scotland must be ended, according to one MSP.

Dr Bill Wilson, SNP MSP for the west of Scotland, has claimed that the use of sealed bids to determine a successful buyer for a property is extremely nerve-racking for customers and recommended that the country should look to other nations for ways to help first-time buyers.

He added that prospective buyers should be made aware of rival bids to prevent a bidding war that may result in successful offers being significantly over the asking price of the property.

"There is no other significant purchase the average person will make which involves secret bids. There is surely no reason why bids could not be open but anonymity retained," he concluded.

According to the Department for Communities and Local Government, the average Scottish house price in July was £163,230.