FASHION industry experts have backed a politician's call for retailers to ditch skinny mannequins and use larger sizes.

Dennis Robertson, whose daughter Caroline died in 2011 following a five-year struggle against anorexia, wants a "more realistic" reflection of customers than the usual size eight or 10 dummies.

Since leading a debate on the issue at Holyrood last week, he said he was inundated with messages of support, including from the fashion industry.

In a statement released by the SNP, Mal Burkinshaw, programme director of fashion at Edinburgh College of Art, said: "We are working on a live project directly with H&M on size diversity, and are delighted to see body image on the agenda within the Scottish Parliament."

Isla Rafferty, managing director of Superior Model Management in Glasgow, said: "I truly believe larger mannequins on the Scottish high street is a positive step in showing women that it is OK to be their natural size."

Mr Robertson, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, said: "This is only the start. More support will be gathered and change will come."