An ICM poll for the new campaign Marbles Reunited, has found that 81 per cent of Britons would like to see the Elgin Marbles returned to Greece.

The campaign has the support of former foreign secretary Robin Cook.

"The marbles would be restored to where they belong and in return Britain would have a rotating exhibition of priceless antiquities... never seen outside Greece," he suggested.

"The British public... understand that the Parthenon Marbles belong on the Parthenon. It would be as if someone had taken the head of Nelson [from Nelson's column] and left his stomach and legs behind."