Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has suggested that his party could repeat the SNP's success and attract a surge in electoral support..

The SNP leapt from 6 to 56 MPs at the General Election, just months after losing the independence referendum

At the same time the Lib Dems collapsed from almost 60 to just 8 MPs.

Mr Farron, whose party is holding its annual conference in Bournemouth this week under the slogan 'LibDemFightback', suggested his party could emulate the SNP.

But he also hit out at the party's success north of the border, telling the BBC's Andrew Marr Programme that Scotland was now like a "one-party state".

“Six months ago the SNP had just 6 MPs," he said.

"And today Scotland is something, sadly, akin to a one-party state. So don’t assume our position now is a position we must remain.

"There is a vast space in British politics for a party that is socially just and economically credible.”

Mr Farron's boast came as he also said that "more than" two Labour MPs had contacted him in recent days.

The Lib Dem leader has called for disaffected Labour politicians and voters dismayed by veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn's recent election to join the Lib Dems.

But he rejected suggestions from the party's former Business Secretary Sir Vince Cable that a new centre-left party might be needed.

At the weekend Sir Vince suggested that a separate new "fully fledged political party" may emerge.

Mr Farron said he wanted to "reach out" to supporters and members of other parties rather than form a new group.

"We have got the Liberal Democrats. Why would we create a new party?," he said.

"My sense is that there are liberals in other parties who are not yet Liberal Democrats. There are people in the Labour Party, actually there are many people in the Conservatives who think that David Cameron and George Osborne attacking low income workers is a terrible thing to do and think that risking Britain's relevance and prosperity by pulling us out of the European Union or taking that risk is a terrible thing to do.

Mr Farron also hit out at Labour on the economy saying his party combined "socially just and economically credible" policies - unlike the "fantasy economics" offered by Labour.

But he refused to confirm whether or not he would be happy to work with Mr Corbyn's Labour - insisting the issue was one of arithmetic.

Within hours, however, Sir Vince, appeared to contradict his leader saying that working with Mr Corbyn would be inconceivable unless the Labour leader did a “complete volte-face” on his economic policies.

In a speech to the conference today Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie will say next years Holyrood election will show his party is for "aspirational people with a social conscience".

Backing all-women shortlists, he will say: "At our heart we want every individual to achieve their potential.”

“Liberal Democrats have an alternative vision for Scotland that embraces hope and opportunity.

“Unlike those who are veering to the left or right we are sticking to the radical, liberal, centre ground.

“We offer a combination of economic discipline with social justice so that there is opportunity for everyone, no matter what their background."

Hee will add: "Childcare and the pupil premium for children who need it, wherever they live in Scotland. Giving opportunity to every child to get up and get on - no matter the circumstances of their birth.

“We stand with the powerless against the strong. Mental health will be taken seriously. Professionals to be on standby in every A&E and police custody centre.

“We say power is safer when it is shared and will trust communities and individuals with the power to control their own lives - putting an end to the Holyrood-knows-best mentality.

“So we will put democracy back into the police and return to traditional Scottish policing by consent.

“We will empower public sector workers - teachers, doctors, nurses, police and more."