Scientists are to probe whether oats and barley grown in Orkney are better at protecting against heart disease than those from further south.

They will examine whether colder temperatures boost the amount of cholesterol-lowering lipids.

The five-year study, funded by the Scottish Government, will also look at whether ancient varieties of the crops are more nutritional than modern ones.

Experts at Aberdeen University will compare oats and barley grown in Orkney with the same varieties grown in Dundee and Aberystwyth in Wales, to look at the effects of the growing environment.

Dr Karen Scott, from the university's Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, said: "We believe the colder temperatures experienced in more northerly parts of the UK may enhance the nutritional values in oats and barley.

"The reasoning behind this is linked to molecules called lipids, which these crops contain more of than other cereals. These molecules become saturated or unsaturated during the growth cycle, depending on the conditions.

"More unsaturated lipids are formed when colder temperatures prevail, conditions commonly found in more northerly areas, whilst more saturated lipids form in warmer conditions, typically found further south in the UK.

"Having more unsaturated lipids in our foods is better for the health as, when ingested, these lipids lower levels of the bad cholesterol in our bodies, which otherwise could lead to the development of cardiovascular disease."