There has been a significant increase in sales of Irn-Bru at Westminster since the SNP returned a record haul of MPs, new figures show.

Sales of Scotland's other national drink has gone up 60% at Westminster in the last year.

The SNP increased their number of MPs from six to 56 at the 2015 general election. Previously the party's record number of seats was 11.

Westminster's cafes, bars and restaurants sold 8708 cans or bottles in the financial year 2015-16, according to a freedom of information release to the Press Association.

This compares to 5452 bottles or cans sold in the previous financial year.

MPs and their staff guzzled more than double the 4285 bottles and cans bought in 2012-13 on the parliamentary estate.

According to the newly released figures, projected sales for the current financial year at Westminster indicate MPs and parliamentary staff are on course to consume even more Irn-Bru.

The parliament projects 8493 cans or bottles to be sold by the end of the financial year in April.

Patrick Grady, SNP MP for Glasgow North, said the fizzy drink gave politicians "sustenance" at Westminster.

He said: "Barr's, which produces Irn-Bru, is an independently owned company which plays an important role in the economy of central Scotland and the country as a whole.

"Famously Scotland is the only country where Coca-Cola is not the biggest selling soft drink.

"But it looks like we're making progress in the House of Commons and perhaps the taste will catch on among MPs and staff from south of the border."