Scotland referendum: Up to 400 at Cardiff Yes rally

About 400 people have been taking part in a rally in Cardiff to urge Scotland to vote Yes in next week's referendum.

Campaigners, including Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, gathered at the Senedd.

The event, taking place as the two sides remain almost tied in the polls, is organised by Wales Supporting Yes.

Meanwhile, former Wales Office minister Jon Owen Jones has said he thinks Scotland will vote No next week.

Mr Jones told BBC Wales: "I think the vote will go against [independence].

"I'm sure that we'll have problems in Wales, whatever happens.

"Personally, I believe the problems will be worse if Scotland decides to leave.

'Lifetime opportunity'

"The big problem for Wales is that our finances, the money we can raise from taxes, isn't enough to pay for the services we have now. So we're not in a very strong position to deal with Westminster."

Iestyn ap Rhobert, of Wales Supporting Yes, said the rally was being held to urge Scotland's voters to "go for it".

"The people of Scotland have the opportunity of a lifetime on 18 September," he said.

"We know that most of the mainstream media and other establishment voices are using scare tactics to put pressure on them to vote No."

Ms Wood, who spoke at the event, said: "Being independent is a normal state for any nation.

"Scotland's referendum provides an opportunity for people there to build a fairer society based on equality.

"A Yes vote can inspire people in Wales and in other parts of these islands to do more for ourselves and to do our politics differently. Scotland shows us there is an alternative."

The rally was after a week in which First Minister Carwyn Jones joined the No campaign in Scotland and said he feared a Yes vote would impact negatively on Wales.

Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Kirsty Williams said she believes Scotland should stay in the UK, while Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservatives leader, said the people of Scotland could have the best of both worlds by running more of their own affairs while staying in the UK.

Polls suggest the race remains close between both camps