The line-up of candidates at this year's General Election was overwhelmingly white and "skewed away from women and younger people", a new report has found.

The survey of the June 8 poll by the Electoral Commission democracy watchdog also found that people with disabilities were "under-represented" on the ballot papers.

Some 71% of candidates in the election were male and just 29% female, the Commission found.

Just 4% were aged 24 or under and 11% between 25 and 34, while 27% were between 55 and 64 and 17% were 65 or older.

Some 86% of those standing were white, compared to 2% who were of Indian background and 1% each from Pakistani, Bangladeshi and black African or Caribbean heritage.

In elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly earlier in the year, 100% of candidates were white and 74% male, while in Scottish council polls the figures were 94% white and 70% male.

Some 10% of those standing in the General Election identified themselves as having a disability or health problem, well below the 18% level recorded in the most recent census.

Disabled people and those with health problems were also less likely to be elected, with just 5% of them winning their seats, compared to 12% of other candidates.

Responding to the figures, the report said: "The Commission believes a diverse and representative range of candidates is important to the health of democracy and we want to ensure that there are no unreasonable barriers to those wishing to stand for election."

The report also raised concerns over the £500 deposit required to stand at a general election, which is forfeited if candidates fail to secure 5% of votes.

Some 22% of candidates - and 34% of those standing as independents - said it was not easy for them to raise the money, with one describing the deposit as "a barrier to democracy".

The Commission's director of communications Craig Westwood said: "There should be no barriers to standing for election and the Commission has recommended that the requirement for a candidate to pay a deposit at an election should be removed."

The report found that 89% of candidates were satisfied with the administration of the poll - up five points since 2015.

But it uncovered evidence of intimidation of candidates, with 4% saying they had been subjected to physical or verbal aggression, had posters vandalised or torn down or false and damaging allegations in rivals' campaign literature.

Some opted not to have their home address on the ballot paper.