WITH a week to go until the deadline for people in Scotland to return their completed census forms, West Dunbartonshire has the second-worst return rate in the country, official figures show.

Anyone who hasn't returned their completed form by Tuesday, May 31 risks being prosecuted - and could be fined up to £1,000.

Of Scotland's 32 local authorities, 25 now have a return rate of more than 85 per cent.

But in West Dunbartonshire, more than one in five householders still hasn't returned their form.

The return rate in the area is only 79.6 per cent - just 0.6 per cent better than Glasgow, the worst-performing council area in Scotland.

Across the country, 2,238,784 households have now returned their census which represents a national average of 85.7 per cent. 

Paul Lowe, chief executive of the National Records of Scotland, which compiled the latest figures on return rates,  said: “It’s very encouraging to see that more than 85 per cent of Scotland’s households have now completed their census and that we have achieved an 85 per cent completion rate in more than three-quarters of our local authority areas.

"However, every single return counts if the census is to be effective in delivering its many benefits for future public services.

“If you haven’t yet completed your census, please join the thousands of people that are filling it in every day and do so before the end of May, to avoid the risk of prosecution.”

Those requiring assistance can access help via the Scottish Government's website HERE or by calling the free helpline on 0800 030 8308.