Edinburgh councillors have voiced their support for retaining the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith after it was claimed the boat could be recommissioned.

UK shipping minister John Hayes sparked debate earlier this week when he said the boat could be an "important emblem" to promote British trade after the Brexit vote.

He made the comments after The Daily Telegraph launched a campaign to relaunch the historic vessel as a "floating nostalgic trade embassy".

Green councillor Chas Booth raised the issue at a full city council meeting on Thursday, describing the boat as a "significant employer in Leith".

He asked council leader Andrew Burns if he would write to Prime Minister Theresa May and the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust to support retaining jobs at the attraction.

Mr Burns echoed Mr Booth's concerns and pledged to highlight the economic benefit of the boat, which has been berthed at Ocean Terminal since 1998.

Tory MP Jake Berry came up with the idea to bring Britannia out of retirement, claiming it helped secure trade deals worth £3bn between 1991 and 1995.

The Daily Telegraph has reported  two other ministers have "privately endorsed" the proposals with several military chiefs and business leaders also said to be in support.

An alternative plan to order a replica ship has also been outlined.

The UK Government does not have an official stance on the proposals.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Yacht Britannia said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on such hypothetical speculation, other than to emphasise that Britannia has enjoyed enormous success as Scotland's best visitor attraction for each of the last ten years."