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The cold winter could have left homeowners in Scotland with a £1 billion repair bill claim architectural experts.

The extreme conditions have speeded up normal wear and tear, causing the countries sandstone homes to crumble such that some are now becoming unsafe, by posing a very real risk of falling masonry.

The news comes amidst widespread calls for mandatory MOT's for communal homes built during the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian period every 3 years.

A single weakened chimney for instance could fall through several floors affecting several residents.

The cold weather contributed to a repair and maintenance bill of £474 million for the third quarter of last year - a new record.

Already, the Association of British Insurers is seeing increased claims. Last year, insurers paid out £650 million in claims - a figure which looks set to be eclipsed this year. They're already warning of a knock on effect on premiums.