Security officers seized 70 knives from members of the public entering the Scottish Parliament during the first half of 2017.

Visitors to Holyrood must go through airport-style security before gaining access to the building.

The figures were made public following a question to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) in the chamber.

Conservative MSP and SPCB member Jackson Carlaw told the chamber: "All knives, penknives, scissors and other sharp objects carried by visitors are retained by security staff during the duration of their visit.

"The total number of such objects retained by security officers in 2017 up to and including June 8 is 841.

"Knives that can be carried legally in a public place in Scotland are returned to the visitor upon leaving. The number of knives surrendered to Police Scotland during 2017 is 70."

A Holyrood spokesman said: "When parliamentary security identify a knife that contravenes legislation in Scotland, the visitor is required to surrender the knife to Police Scotland for destruction.

"This procedure has been in place since the parliament opened to the public and we take all necessary steps to enforce the arrangements."