PRA will seek to develop further its already close contacts with the Scottish government following the vote rejecting independence in the referendum.

PRA chairman Brian Madderson said: "PRA made early preparations for whatever the outcome of the referendum was by establishing a Scottish Regional Committee earlier this year, and members have joined with me in a number of meetings with officials from the Scottish government."

These included an hour-long briefing with energy minister Fergus Ewing, and he has agreed to a meeting with the committee next year.

Madderson said other contacts included a meeting with planning minister Derek Mackay and a meeting with officials from the health department’s tobacco control unit to discuss proposals for plain packaging.

Following the outcome of the referendum, he said it was not yet clear which areas of taxation would be devolved, but PRA would be writing to finance minister John Swinney urging him to maintain fuel duty harmonisation.

He added: "We would not like to see a situation like in Northern Ireland and the Republic, where the differential is leading to criminality such as smuggling and fuel laundering."

Madderson said issues affecting Scottish operators will be discussed at the PRA’s Scottish Regional Forum in Stirlingshire on October 15.