Paisley MP Mhairi Black has predicted a surge in support for the SNP from teenage voters.

Votes will be given to 16 and 17-year-olds in the local government elections for the first time next week.

Speaking on the campaign trail in her home town of Paisley today, Ms Black said: "Since the independence referendum, it's been very clear that young people have a voice in matters and they are starting to recognise that.

"The council elections are the first time 16 and 17-year-olds are going to have the opportunity to vote.

"I think they are going to use their vote wisely and I think there will be a lot of increase in support for us."

She added: "This year, we're not short of elections. First of all, for the council elections, I can say first-hand from doing canvassing in the area that a lot of people are realising that the SNP have a record of protecting people from the cuts coming from Westminster, so I think the support for us is incredibly strong.

"In terms of the General Election, I think it's even stronger in the sense that people realise that this a fight between the Tories and the SNP."

The Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP was joined by her party's council election campaign co-convener, Councillor Susan Aitken, who said she hoped the SNP would be in charge of a "a lot more councils" following the election on May 4.

She said: "We realise that's quite a big task. It's not a task we underestimate and we certainly don't take it for granted.

"But that is our ambition, we see no point in being under-ambitious for the SNP."