A patient suffering from swine flu has died in hospital, the Scottish government said tonight.

The patient had underlying health conditions and was one one of ten people who were being treated in hospital in Scotland.

It is the first death in the UK of someone confirmed as having swine flu.

A statement released by the Scottish government said tonight: "With regret, we can confirm that one of the patients who had been in hospital, and had been confirmed as suffering from the H1N1 virus, has died today.

"The patient had underlying health conditions."

The statement added that, at the family's request, no further details will be released tonight to allow the family some time to come to terms with their loss.

The hospital where the patient died has not been revealed but it is believed to be in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

Earlier today, health officials confirmed another 61 cases of swine flu in England, bringing the UK total to 1,226 cases.

Britain has been harder hit by the virus than elsewhere in Europe.

The UK experienced the biggest one-day rise in the number of confirmed infections on Saturday, with 172 patients in England and Scotland confirmed as suffering from the virus.

The World Health Organisation has declared the flu a pandemic.