A digital database of the manuscripts of Robert Burns is being created– the first of its kind.

The University of Glasgow's Centre for Robert Burns Studies is collaborating with the Burns Scotland project on the "hugely significant" move.

Under the arrangement, all of the poet's papers held by national institutions, local authorities and other organisations under the Burns Scotland umbrella will be examined then corroborated.

Details will be digitised and stored at the university centre for use by Burns Scotland partners. The database will store images with paper sizes, watermarks and other features.

The university's Professor Gerard Carruthers said: "This is a hugely significant development which will greatly benefit those who study the writings of Robert Burns."