Fewer than one in five older voters intend to support Scottish Labour in May's election, according to a new poll.

The Survation poll of 1,000 people aged over 60, for the Sunday Post newspaper, found that 19% intend to back the party in the constituency vote, with 18% supporting it in the regional list vote.

Meanwhile, 43% of those polled said they would vote SNP in the constituency vote, with 28% backing Ruth Davidson's Scottish Conservatives.

A further 6% back the Liberal Democrats, while the remainder opted for other parties.

The SNP is backed by 38% in the regional vote, the Tories by 27%, the Lib Dems 7%, Greens 5%, Ukip 4%, and the remainder other parties.

Those polled were also asked if they thought Labour would ever return to power at Holyrood.

Almost half - 45% - said no, 25% said yes, and 30% were not sure.

Of those who said yes, only 8% said it will happen at this year's election.

SNP campaign director John Swinney said: "This is an encouraging poll which shows a significant lead for the SNP amongst older people and a further fall in support for Labour amongst some of their traditional voters - highlighting just how far Labour have fallen from their founding principles."

He added: "We take nothing for granted and will campaign positively to re-elect an SNP government that will stand up for everyone in Scotland, young or old, to take forward our progressive vision for a fairer country."

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: "This election is all about which party will use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to stop the cuts and invest in our public services.

"Under Labour's plans we would stop the SNP's cuts to local services like social care.

"We would guarantee an appointment at a GP surgery within 48 hours and a social care package within a week.

"Faced with a choice between using the powers of the Parliament to protect the public services that pensioners rely on or carrying on with the SNP's cuts, Labour will use the powers."