The campaign against independence hopes to recruit an army of Scots living in other parts of the UK to "lovebomb" friends and families on the benefits of the Union.

Better Together wants thousands of Scots to join local groups across England, Wales and Northern Ireland over the course of the next year.

Around 800,000 Scots live in other parts of the UK and will not qualify for a vote in next year's independence referendum.

But Better Together believes they can be a valuable resource with an important perspective on why Scotland should remain part of the UK.

As the campaign launched its first group outside Scotland – in London – last night Better Together chairman Alistair Darling said: "This is about making sure people have the information they need to talk about the issues with their friends, families and workmates back home in Scotland."

"This is the first of these groups. It won't be the last," he pledged.

A senior Better Together source said the group was "all about getting Scots in London to talk to their families and friends back home about the debate and to talk up the UK from the perspective of Scots living outside Scotland".

Mr Darling also accused the SNP of forcing Scots to make a "false choice" between being Scottish and British.

However, the SNP hit back saying Mr Darling had misunderstood and the referendum was not about identity, adding "people living in Scotland have a range of identities – Scottish, British, English, Pakistani, French, Irish, Polish, and many more besides – and that will continue to be the case regardless of our constitutional relationship with the rest of the UK".

The party also suggested the No campaign was wasting its time setting up local groups outside Scotland.

SNP MP Pete Wishart said it was important to speak to the rest of the UK about the referendum and the Yes campaign would be setting out a positive case for independence.

But he added: "Our priority will be to convince those who do have a vote in the referendum."