Home cooks have been advised to check the credentials of any so-called Scottish produce they buy, after several imitations were unveiled by the government.

The country's rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead explained that on a recent trip to the US, he uncovered a number of low quality items claiming to be from Scotland.

"Rather than allowing others to trade on our reputation with inferior quality produce we should be grasping these opportunities for ourselves and knocking the copy-cats off the shelves," he suggested.

Mr Lochhead noted that Scotland has a positive international reputation, which could be seen by the sheer number of recipes claiming to be from the country.

He urged shoppers to stay loyal to true Scottish brands in the future.

In recent days, Protected Geographical Indication status was granted to Cumberland sausages, meaning only produce that is created to strict criteria - and in Cumbria - can be given the name.