A SENIOR Scottish Parliament member has accused Swindon-based WH Smith of not doing enough to promote Scottish writers.

Nationalist Kenny MacAskill said WH Smith bosses at the company's head office in Greenbridge were responsible for choosing the books on their shelves north of the border.

Mr MacAskill, the SNP shadow transport minister, said that was "hugely damaging'' to the Scottish book industry.

And he called on WH Smith to allow their Scottish shops to stock more work by Scots authors.

He said: "Scotland is blessed with many talented writers whose work is in demand across the country.

"WH Smith must recognise this with a separate Scottish purchasing policy that will ensure more Scottish books on the shelves.''

A spokeswoman for WH Smith said the company was addressing the matter and hoped to introduce a separate book-buying policy for Scotland in the New Year.

She said: "There is a policy at the moment whereby local stores are able to buy a certain number of local interest books for their area, but these purchases have to be approved by our head office.

"We're looking to address the way books are bought for Scotland and how they are promoted in stores.

"Our director of books is holding meetings early in the New Year and it is something that is being addressed.''