MACKIE'S Crisps has announced a 506% leap in export sales to Canada.

The company, a joint venture between ice-cream maker Mackie's and potato firm Taypack, which was founded in 2009, said it had sold 279,000 packets in 2013.

That was up from 46,000 in the previous year and means Canada now accounts for around 40% of export sales.

Mackie's Crisps suggested it had benefited from wider distribution and the emphasis on the Scottish origins of its products.

Ronnie Wilson, commercial director, said: "The response to our crisps in Canada has been tremendous, and our Scottish provenance has proven to be a key selling point in this market.

"Following the introduction of our dedicated Canadian packaging at the beginning of this year, which is bilingual and features a prominent saltire flag, we now have scope to broaden our distribution into mass grocery channels.

"Furthermore, we are about to launch 13 new lines into the Canadian market -in addition to the nine lines we already supply there."

The figures were an-nounced as Commonwealth Games Secretary Shona Robison visited Toronto while the Queen's Baton Relay continues its journey through Canada.

Ms Robison said: "This is another terrific example of a Scottish firm making a big impact on the international stage, and it's great to see Scottish brands on supermarket shelves abroad."