MSPs have expressed doubts over the financing of the Scottish Executive's policy on free personal care for the elderly.

A report from the Edinburgh parliament's health committee said that funding arrangements must be improved.

Tuesday's study said there must be "a thorough remodelling of the free personal care budget".

There was concern over the mechanism used to distribute cash to local authorities.

The MSPs also called for the removal of a "legal loophole" that allows councils to maintain waiting lists.

Overall, the report said the introduction of free personal care for the elderly "had been broadly successful", providing greater security and dignity to many elderly people.

But there were concerns over "major problems with the implementation of free personal care that could undermine the policy if not resolved".

Health committee convener Roseanna Cunningham warned of "some major problems with implementation which are threatening to undermine the policy".

"The evidence that we received, including that obtained using a freedom of information request to all local authorities, indicates that there are real problems with funding in some areas," she said.

"A thorough review of the resources required by local authorities, collectively and individually, is needed to ensure the system is adequately financed.

"This could mean an increase in funding or a more equitable distribution of resources among local authorities."