The first major TV debate on the Scottish independence referendum has been announced.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Secretary Michael Moore will go head-to-head on STV's flagship show Scotland Tonight on Thursday May 16.

It is the first in a series of live debates being organised by the current affairs show to examine the key issues voters will decipher ahead of the historic poll next year.

Presented by John MacKay and Rona Dougall, it is expected that Ms Sturgeon and her rival Mr Moore will set out their positions on the economics of independence and debate whether Scotland will be better or worse off as an independent country. They will also have the opportunity to cross-examine each other.

Political experts will provide analysis before, after and throughout the debate from a second studio, with viewers encouraged to interact by sending their own reactions via social media.

Gordon Macmillan, head of news at STV, said: "STV is committed to providing a platform for debate around all the key issues ahead of the 2014 referendum and this series of Scotland Tonight specials will give viewers the opportunity to hear the arguments from both sides of the discussion."

Meanwhile, David Cameron has rejected calls from Alex Salmond to engage in a TV debate ahead of the 2014 vote. On a visit to Scotland last month, the Prime Minister said he would not get drawn into a "phoney debate" with the First Minster.