Harris Tweed's iconic orb trademark has been officially recognised as a coat of arms after more than a century of use.

Only cloth hand-woven from virgin wool by the islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra can be called Harris Tweed.

The orb is recognised globally as a symbol of the industry, which is a major employer in the Western Isles.

The Lord Lyon has now given permission for the orb to be used as the industry's coat of arms, further protecting the brand from copycats.

It first appeared on clothing in 1911 and is the longest continuously used certification trademark in the world.

At the industry's height in in the mid-1960s, around 1200 weavers worked to produce seven million metres of Harris Tweed cloth every year.

Sales fell into decline in the 1980s, partly due to cheap mass-produced imitation fabrics, and the industry came dangerously close to collapse.

But Harris Tweed has enjoyed a revival in recent years as a luxury fashion brand and now supports around 380 jobs.