The Scottish Government today revealed it is trying to recover £150 million in lottery funds which it claims was diverted from Scottish good causes to finance the 2012 London Olympics.

Communities minister Stewart Maxwell confirmed that a bid document was sent to Andy Burnham, the culture, media & sport secretary.

Mr Maxwell said that the return of the money was "a matter of natural justice" on the grounds that it was "fundamentally unfair" that Scottish good causes should suffer to pay for London 2012.

Instead he said the money would be "destined to ensure a lasting legacy" from the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, although not for the games themselves.

Mr Maxwell said: "We have a vision for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.

"This stretches far beyond the number of medals we win - although we're keen to maximise those too.

"Glasgow 2014 is about a strong legacy.

"That is about more than sport; it's about community engagement, heritage and culture.

"It's about regeneration, creating a stronger economy and a healthy, confident people.

"This bid is not a detailed shopping list, it's a snapshot of the sorts of initiatives which could be funded if Scotland recovered millions of pounds in Lottery money"

MSPs unanimously endorsed a motion calling for a substantial sum of National Lottery funding to be released as soon as possible to support a lasting legacy from Glasgow 2014.

The cost of the games themselves are being met by the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council.

Mr Maxwell added: "We are pressing for the return of the money as a matter of natural justice because we believe it is fundamentally unfair that Scottish good causes should suffer to pay for London 2012.

"From the smallest arts groups, through sports clubs, to health promotion centres and local day care facilities, we want to see communities embracing opportunities to make change for themselves and help to improve the quality of their lives and those of others.

"We also need decent sports facilities.

"To this end our aim is to develop those that exist, convert appropriate venues where possible, as well as investing in new facilities.

"The message from all sides came across loud and clear: the people of Scotland want the Games to leave a legacy of which we can all be rightly proud."

Any funds retrieved would be returned to the Scottish Lottery distributing bodies.