Young Scots should not have to follow the Proclaimers' lead and pen new songs describing fresh industrial decline, an SNP frontbencher has said.

Hannah Bardell said the band's 1987 song Letter From America encapsulated the problems faced by Scottish industry in the second half of the 20th century.

But the SNP's employment spokeswoman called on the Westminster Government to reveal how it will support UK steel through a "tumultuous period" to prevent further damage to Scotland's once proud "industrial heart".

Tata Steel announced last week that its Scottish sites - Dalzell in Motherwell and Clydebridge in Cambuslang - are to be mothballed with the loss of 270 jobs.

The plants are the only remaining steel works in Scotland although the Scottish Government hopes to find a buyer to take over production.

Livingston MP Ms Bardell said the long-term future of UK steel production will not be guaranteed by cuts to business rates, delayed emission deadlines or "prolonged protectionism" from the European Commission.

She recalled how the Clydebridge steelworks was first opened in 1887 as a "giant of industrial Scotland".

MPs heard the plant helped develop some of the world's most famous ships, including the Lusitania, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

Speaking during a Labour-led opposition day debate on the steel industry, Ms Bardell told the Commons: "Scotland once had a proud and distinguished industrial heart. But I fear in much of the latter half of the 20th century, Scotland's industrial story became one of decline.

"This idea is encapsulated in a seminal hit by one of Scotland's favourite bands - and if you don't know them, you should listen - the Proclaimers.

"'Bathgate no more,' was the lyric as the Leyland plant closed in 1986. 'Linwood no more,' as the Hillman car factory closed. 'Methil no more,' as the fabrication yards that assembled the North Sea's greatest rigs closed.

"My own grandfather spent a good part of his career at Leyland and Bathgate and I don't want to see a new generation of Scots pen songs describing further decline in Scottish industry."