Left-wing alliance Rise has launched its manifesto for the Holyrood election with a promise to "chart a path to independence".

The socialist organisation pledged to support a second independence referendum during the next five-year parliament "with or without Westminster's consent".

Key policies set out by the party include raising the top rate of income tax paid by those earning more than £150,000 from 45p to 60p, replacing the council tax with a new Scottish service tax based on income and introducing a new £10 per hour minimum wage.

At a launch event at the Glasgow Science Centre, Rise also called for the break-up of Police Scotland, a living income for unpaid carers and the phasing-in of free public transport.

The alliance, which was founded in August last year by prominent figures in the Yes campaign, is fielding 40 candidates on Scotland's eight regional lists.

They include former MSP Jean Urquhart, who left the SNP over its stance on Nato membership, former Scottish Socialist Party MSP Colin Fox and co-founder of the Radical Independence Campaign Cat Boyd.

Mr Fox, Rise's lead candidate in the Lothians, said: "At this election, Rise is the only organisation with a clear strategy for independence.

"We support a second referendum within the lifespan of the next parliament, with or without Westminster's consent.

"Independence supporters face a choice next month: do they want intransigent unionist politicians sitting on the opposition benches or Rise MSPs ready to chart a path to independence?"

Ms Boyd, the party's top candidate for the Glasgow region, said: "Today we set out a strong set of policies designed to tackle some of the most urgent problems Scotland faces.

"A living income for Scotland's carers, a higher rate of income tax on the richest and a new £10 per hour minimum wage - these proposals would transform life for millions of Scots."

Rise national organiser Jonathon Shafi added: "In 2014, as a result of the independence referendum, Scottish politics changed fundamentally. It is time for the Scottish Parliament to change with it.

"Rise embodies the spirit of grassroots radicalism that gripped progressive Scotland two years ago. If elected to office on May 5, we will take that sense of radicalism into the corridors of power."