ED Miliband has urged Scottish voters "don't gamble with the SNP" as he again insisted a future Labour government would do no deals with Nicola Sturgeon and the Nationalists.

But after the Labour leader insisted he would rather not be in government at all than have to do a deal with the SNP, the First Minister claimed Mr Miliband had "lost the plot" because this would keep the Tories in power; such a policy, she insisted, would be the "final nail in Labour's coffin" in Scotland.

In a campaign rally in Glasgow, the Labour leader reiterated his statement there would be "no deal, no pact, no coalition, no tie-in with the SNP".

"I don't say that for tactical reasons; I'm advocating this for principled reasons," he said. "We cannot do a deal with a party that wants to break up the UK when we want to build it up.

"I have a clear message for the people of Scotland today: don't gamble with the SNP when you can guarantee change with Labour."

His comments came as a series of focus groups set up by polling firm TNS and observed by The Herald suggested the SNP will sweep to victory in Scotland on a tidal wave of emotion.

TNS said the research suggested Scottish voters are "projecting their hopes and ideals" onto Nicola Sturgeon. Many of those who voted No in the referendum had nevertheless felt empowered by that campaign, and were keen to be represented by a distinct Scottish voice on the UK stage.

Meanwhile, former Labour voters in Glasgow who are preparing to back the SNP expressed sadness and frustration at the state of their former party, with the SNP becoming a "default choice" after it emerged as a credible player on the UK stage.

Ruth Davidson has dismissed claims David Cameron's election campaign is damaging the party's chances of a revival in Scotland.

xref page 6/7/8 please