The First Minister has called on voters to reject Ukip's "nasty intolerance" at the European elections.

On a visit to Glasgow Central Mosque, Alex Salmond met with senior members of the city's Asian community, a group he said has helped shape Scotland for the better.

Ukip is not represented at any level in Scottish politics but party leader Nigel Farage believes they could win a seat at next week's European elections.

On a visit to Edinburgh last week, he said the First Minister is "pretty scared" of Ukip.

"He's not scared of the size of us at the moment, but he is very scared of the argument," Mr Farage said.

In Glasgow today, Mr Salmond said: "Scotland is a country that is enhanced by the people who choose to come here to live, work and contribute to the vibrant tartan of Scottish society.

"Our diversity is our great strength and there is no better example of that than the Scots Asian community, which has thrived in Scotland and helped to shape our country for the better.

"The anti-immigrant message being peddled by Ukip is one that leaves people in Scotland feeling deeply uncomfortable. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, tolerant country and Ukip's brand of nasty intolerance has no place here."

Mr Salmond said the election has "quite clearly become a contest" between SNP candidate Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and Ukip.

"It is a contest between the tolerant Scotland that welcomes new Scots who want to contribute to our society and the intolerant face of Ukip who want to isolate and diminish Scotland," the First Minister said.

"Only a vote for the SNP will let Scotland make our mark in Europe and ensure that Ukip's brand of intolerant rhetoric gains no traction here."

Speaking last week, Mr Farage said: "We will have a legitimate voice in Scottish politics in two weeks' time.

''Mr Salmond is a Euro-federalist fanatic, he wanted to sign Scotland up to the euro, he wants Scotland to be part of the European Union and you cannot be an independent, self governing, democratic nation and be member of a club whose laws are supreme over yours.''