Nicola Sturgeon takes over as SNP leader from Alex Salmond

Nicola Sturgeon is to formally take over the leadership of the SNP from Alex Salmond.

She will be confirmed in the post as the SNP's annual conference gets under way in Perth, before being voted in as Scottish first minister next Wednesday.

Ms Sturgeon, who has been the SNP's deputy leader for the past decade, was the only candidate for the job.

She told BBC Breakfast she still hoped Scotland would become an independent country in the future despite a 'No' result in September's referendum.