JOHN Prescott said he was in Scotland "as a Welshman, representing a northern constituency most of my life", asking people north of the border to vote No.

Campaigners from both sides of the referendum debate faced off as he hit the campaign trail. Yes supporters jostled with Better Together campaigners as Mr Prescott visited Rutherglen Main Street in South Lanarkshire on the Scottish Labour battle bus. He was joined by Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling and deputy Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

The former Deputy Prime Minister urged people to think about other parts of the UK when they cast their vote.

He said: "You in Scotland have started a radical debate, revolutionary debate. It won't just stop in Scotland. We in the northern areas look to your support to make sure that we are able to deal with a massive Tory vote.

"Scotland you can make a difference when you vote - it's not just about Scotland. We are better together."

Mr Prescott said he was in Scotland to talk particularly to Labour voters.

He said: "I'm not here to tell you anything about the arguments about currency union and uncertainties.

"What I want to say is what Scotland has done for Britain and what Scotland and its values have brought into the essence of Britishness.

"British has come about because many of the struggles and strains that have gone on in this country started in Scotland. It's your character, your contribution to the intellectual contribution, to medicine, to education, you have always led the way, that's the reality and I say that as a Welsh person.

"Of course there's a lot to be done but the leadership has come from Scotland and I'm here as a Welshman, representing a northern constituency most of my life, to argue to keep that character, to keep that contribution that is Scottish."

The former Deputy Prime Minister was surrounded by placard bearing "No Thanks" as well as pro-independence campaigners and at one point his words were almost drowned out by shouts of "Yes".

Mr Darling said a No vote would offer Scotland the best of both worlds, with more powers.