Holyrood bosses are planning to spend £170,000 to replace the sound system in the Scottish Parliament's six committee rooms.

The system was installed before the building opened, but it has reached the end of its functional life and spare parts are no longer available.

Work to install new microphones and consoles is due to start during the MSPs' Easter break and completed during the summer recess.

But some MSPs said the bill could be the first of many as the £414 million building's 10th anniversary nears.

Independent MSP Margo MacDonald said: "The building is high cost and high maintenance. I think we can expect a constant treadmill of bills to keep the place looking the way it should."

During last month's half-term break, contractors replaced lights in the debating chamber, and carried out work on the building's hot water systems, lighting and lifts.

But former Scottish LibDems leader Tavish Scott said: "I have never been aware of any problems with the sound system. A full justification for spending taxpayers' money on a new system will need to be provided."

A Parliament spokeswoman said: "The system is routinely tested. There have been a number of occasions when as a result of this testing a meeting has been moved to a different room."