'Secret' talks between the British Museum and the Greek government could see the return of the Parthenon Marbles, bringing to an end one of the longest-running museum disputes.

The collection of Classical Greek marble sculptures was brought to the UK more than 200 years ago and is currently on display in a purpose-built gallery.

The marbles were transported to the UK between 1801 and 1812 under the orders of Earl Elgin.

Elgin, a former soldier and politician, claimed he had been given permission to do so by representatives of the Ottoman Empire, ruler of Greece at the time.

He then sold the Marbles to the British government in 1816, after which they were passed into the trusteeship of the British Museum, where they have remained.

The marbles' presence at the museum has been a huge source of controversy which has raged ever since they arrived in the UK 200 years ago.

Now, according to Greek newspaper, Ta Nea, behind-the-scene talks to return the marbles – held between George Osborne, chair of the British Museum and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis – were at an "advanced level".

The revelations come just days after Mitsotakis told an audience at the London School of Economics that "progress" had been made on the issue and that a “win-win solution” was possible.

When contacted, the British Museum didn't deny or confirm the talks but said it had no plans to dismantle the collection.

A British Museum Spokesperson said: "The British Museum has publicly called for a new Parthenon Partnership with Greece and we’ll talk to anyone, including the Greek government about how to take that forward.

"As the chair of Trustees said last month, we operate within the law and we’re not going to dismantle our great collection as it tells a unique story of our common humanity.

"But we are seeking new positive, long-term partnerships with countries and communities around the world, and that of course includes Greece."