Locations across the west of Scotland are under the spotlight as Google's controversial Streetview service launches a poll for the nation's favourite streets.

Included in Google's Street View Awards are Glasgow's Byres Road and Buchanan Street, The Shore in Edinburgh and Tobermory's Main Street on Isle of Mull.

The awards could help turnaround Street View's image. The service came under heavy criticism last year over allegations that its pictures invaded public privacy.

Street View allows the browser to take a virtual walk through many of the UK's streets.

The public and a panel of judges will decide which is Britain's best foodie street, most picturesque street and top fashion street.

In the Best Foodie category both Byres Road and The Shore are nominated, while Ruthven Lane and Buchanan Street in Glasgow are both up in the Best Fashion section.

Quaint Tobermory is nominated in the Most Picturesque category.

In total 50 streets in 25 different cities across the UK have been shortlisted, and the public can use Google Street View to decide on their favourites by voting online.

Judges in the three sections include food expert Henrietta Green, TV hiker Julia Bradbury and former Fall singer and now fashion guru Brix Smart-Smith.