The Scottish Liberal Democrats will launch their manifesto today, setting out plans to deliver a "decade of opportunity" for all.

Leader Willie Rennie will say voters can choose a "responsible" plan to build a stronger economy and a fairer society with opportunity for everyone by backing his party.

Mr Rennie is also expected to highlight the Lib Dems' plans for investing in early years education, jobs creation and funding the NHS when he unveils the manifesto in Edinburgh, accompanied by business minister Jo Swinson.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Rennie said: "Liberal Democrats are driven by our ambition of creating opportunity for all.

"Our prospectus to the people of Scotland is proudly Liberal Democrat. Standing on the record of progress in government and vision of the future. In just five years we have got the economy back on track and done so fairly. We are now closer to our ambition of creating opportunity for everyone. But with wins for the Liberal Democrats in this election we can make it a decade of opportunity.

"With Liberal Democrats we can create opportunity for children by investing in education especially in the early years. With Liberal Democrats we can create opportunity for everyone by investing £800 million in our NHS and bring mental health care to the fore.

"With Liberal Democrats we can create opportunity for workers by creating even more jobs and cutting their taxes too. With Liberal Democrats we can create opportunity for Scotland by delivering more powers to the Scottish Parliament.

"These are Liberal Democrat ambitions because they build a stronger economy and a fairer society, in a stronger Scotland.

"It is a positive offer to create a decade of opportunity for everyone in our country."

Liberal Democrats to keep both the SNP and Ukip out of government.

Speaking to ITV's Lorraine, party leader Nick Clegg said his party's message was going down better in its heartlands than national polling - which has the party stuck in single figures - would suggest.

Mr Clegg said his party had a positive record in government which it was eager to continue in the new parliament. He also urged voters to acknowledge the successes as well as the promises the party was not able to meet.

In the party's latest policy, owners of second homes in rural beauty spots south of the border could face paying double the rate of council tax under Liberal Democrat plans to ensure local residents are not priced out of the property market.

The plan will allow local authorities to charge 200% council tax in an effort to curb the high rates of second home ownership in some areas.

The measure forms part of a "countryside charter" being launched by the Lib Dems, with Nick Clegg claiming his party will create 300,000 new jobs in rural areas if it is in government after the General Election on May 7.

Mr Clegg said the proposed second home levy was aimed at ensuring there is "fairness in the housing market".