Bid to protect the square sausage

The Lorne sausage is a favourite among Scots

Meat producers in Scotland have called for the traditional breakfast favourite - the Lorne sausage - to be given protected status.

Scotland's Craft Butchers want the square sausage meat to be added to the list of foods with a Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI).

That would mean it could only bear the name if made north of the border.

The same EU law is used to ensure the authenticity of Parma ham, Arbroath Smokies and Melton Mowbray pies.

The Lorne is typically eaten in a roll or with a full cooked breakfast and is thought to have been named after the Glasgow comedian Tommy Lorne.

The theatre performer, who died in 1935, was famous for his catchphrase "sausages are the boys".

Lobby government

It has also been suggested that the comedian invented Lorne after realising the flat sausage made a better sandwich.

Others claim it takes its name from the area of the Firth of Lorne on the west coast.

Douglas Scott, chief executive of Scotland's Craft Butchers, said: "The Lorne Sausage is as Scottish a product as you get and it would seem a threat in this global era if we weren't to apply for a PGI.

"Lorne is an important part of every Scottish butchers sausage trade with customers sometimes travelling many miles to source their favourite.

"We will work on the application and hope to get the backing of Quality Meat Scotland and the Scottish Government in taking the square slice to Brussels."