A Highland MSP whose role was crucial to the formation of the first SNP Scottish Government, is standing down at next year's Holyrood election.

Dave Thompson has been MSP since 2007, firstly as a regional member for the Highlands and Islands from 2007 to 2011 and then as the constituency MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch since 2011.

He has formally notified the SNP's National Executive Committee of his decision and a candidate will be sought to replace him with nominations open in June.

At the 2007 Holyrood election the former trading standards officer stopped the Highland returning officer on his way to the podium at the Inverness count, to challenge the result which had no SNP candidates getting on to the regional list

It was discovered that all the party's votes had been left out. After a recalculation, the SNP won two list MSPs and a one seat lead in the Scottish parliament. As a result Alex Salmond became First Minister of a minority SNP administration,

Mr Thompson said it had been a great privilege to serve as an MSP butt he would 66 by the time of the election next year:

" I joined the SNP in 1965, 50 years ago, and have gone through many ups, but mostly downs, until eight years ago when I challenged the Highland Returning Officer in 2007 and forced a recount which led to me becoming the 47th SNP MSP, giving us a majority of one over Labour. This led to the first ever minority SNP government and to where we are today.

"This has been a difficult decision but I believe that it is the right time for me to now hand over the baton to a younger candidate. The party has never been in a better position and I firmly believe that I will see independence in my lifetime."