Penniless Burns is worth £157m a year to Scotland

Research into the influence of Scotland's favourite bard, Robert Burns, has discovered that he is even more of a national treasure than previously thought.

More than 200 years after the poet died almost penniless, a study has estimated that his fame brings more than £157m a year into the country.

Lesley Campbell, an economic consultant at the World Bank, found Burns brings £150m to Scotland in tourism every year. In addition, £5.5m is spent annually on Burns paraphernalia such as tea towels, tinned shortbread and books. On 25 January each year, whisky manufacturers enjoy a 2 per cent increase in sales worth £270,000 as devotees celebrate Burns Night, while a further £1.2m is spent on haggis and other Scottish cuisine.

About £300,000 is spent on items such as fees to the Burns Federation from overseas clubs, singers' wages and kilt hire each Burns Night, according to the study for BBC Scotland.