A Western Isles politician is to make a plea at Westminster for the ancient Lewis Chessmen to return home.

The historic Norse chess pieces - which were found in a Lewis sand dune in the late 1800s - are housed in the British Museum in London.
 
But SNP MP Angus MacNeil has secured a debate on the the repatriation of historical objects and will question culture secretary Ben Bradshaw on why national treasures must remain in the British capital.

He said: "I feel that now is as good as a time as any to open up talks to bring the Chessmen back to Lewis. The Lewis Chessmen are at the heart of the history of these islands. The fact that none is permanently here is a disappointment.

"The British Museum is a time-honoured institution but it is high time that it allows other parts of the UK to benefit from the treasures found in our own backyard."