Young adults and teens have been urged to avoid house parties this weekend to help protect older relatives from lethal Covid-19.

Nicola Sturgeon and Scotland's top police officer made a joint plea as new laws come into force to ban large gatherings indoors.

They warned about the series risk of spreading coronavirus as a health study suggested no health child has died in the UK for the virus. It led to fears young people may feel "invincible" and be tempted to ignore strict rules.

Sturgeon said she understood how everyone wants to "get back to normal", and thanked young people for following health guidance.

At her daily briefing she said: "Young people, probably more than the rest, just want to get back to normality. Everyone, me in included, understands that.

"You don't know you're not going to be one of the minority that does get seriously ill and potentially even worse than that.

"Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, if you get it, you might be fine but what if you pass it to your mum or dad, who are a bit older, or your granny or grandpa, who are even older than that?

"They are at much greater risk than you are of becoming unwell."

The First Minister said everyone in Scotland "depends on each other". Sturgeon insisted she's not "pointing the finger" or trying to stop a social life.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the new powers to break up indoor gatherings will be used as a last resort.

But he said it is "vital" that people stick to the rules, which outlaw gatherings of 15 or more people indoors.

He said: "In essence, don't arrange or attend large house parties, please meet in smaller groups.”

The Chief Constable said "the vast majority" of people have followed the rules throughout the pandemic. He thanked the people of Scotland, adding that officers will work with members of the public instead of using powers aggressively.

He added: "We will act with courtesy and common sense to maintain that relationship of confidence and trust we have with out fellow citizens."