The Scotch whisky brand has been trademarked in Taiwan, protecting the national drink against knock-offs and potentially boosting sales.

Taiwan is the fourth biggest export market for Scotch and the third largest market for single malts, worth more than £75m in the first six months of 2016 alone.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) says the trademark could help boost sales to the country.

It means anything sold as Scotch in Taiwan must have been made in Scotland from water, cereals and yeast, and matured for at least three years.

SWA senior legal counsel Lindesay Low said: "Taiwan has for many years been a major market for Scotch Whisky, in particular single malts.

"The trademarks for Scotch Whisky mean that consumers can have even greater confidence in the quality of what they are buying.

"It will also give a further boost to Scotch Whisky producers exporting to Taiwan.

"We would like to thank the authorities in Taiwan who were of great assistance in working with us on the successful outcome of our trade mark application, as were the UK Government."

The Scotch Whisky Association has also succeeded in trademarking the Chinese characters which spell out "Scotch whisky".