Gypsy travellers in Scotland should be treated as an ethnic group, a committee of MSPs has said.

A report by Scotland's Equal Opportunities Committee called for public bodies in Scotland to treat gypsy travellers as a distinct ethnic group until a legal test case provides official recognition under the Race Relations Act 1976.

The committee was concerned by evidence on institutional discrimination, racism and harassment and worries that the gypsy traveller community was becoming increasingly marginalised.

Committee Convener Kate MacLean said the committee had found numerous examples of discrimination and exclusion, including in the health, social services and education sectors.

"Our report, published today, makes 37 recommendations. It acknowledges we have a problem and takes a first step in addressing that problem. Our committee agrees that all legislation and policies should be framed on the understanding that gypsy travellers have distinct ethnic characteristics," said MacLean.

However, the committee did find some examples of good practice, where local authorities and health boards are already working with gypsy travellers to solve some problems highlighted in the report, such as the dedicated Gypsy Traveller Liaison Officer employed by North Lanarkshire.