THE Labour for Independence (LFI) group has made a call to ban the Trident nuclear deterrent from Scotland.

The group, which aims to "offer an alternative to the SNP", made the statement at the opening of its first policy conference.

The potential disposal of nuclear weapons currently stored in Scotland was among those key issues discussed at the start of a two-day event in Glasgow.

LFI, led by Labour member Allan Grogan, aims to highlight what the party could offer in the event of a Yes vote in next year's independence referendum.

It has claimed support for the group is "rapidly growing" within the party.

Grogan said: "We're offering an alternative to the SNP.

"Eventually Labour is going to have to acknowledge there are voters in the party who will back independence."

As well as debating the nuclear question, issues to be discussed at the conference include the group's position on Nato and policies in education, health and infrastructure.

The event opened with a discussion on the Common Weal, a project led by the Jimmy Reid Foundation, which looks at possible changes to economic and social development.

Robin McAlpine from the foundation said: "Scotland needs an idea that brings people together. It needs an agenda that includes those living in poverty and those trying to run a decent, local business."

Grogan expects about 100 people will have taken part in the conference by the time it closes at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) in Glasgow today.

A Labour spokesman declined to comment.