Salmond's 'year of achievement'

Mr Salmond said Scotland had an opportunity to succeed

Support for independence is growing as the Scots Government prepares to enter its second year, First Minister Alex Salmond has said.

His comments came as the SNP's spring conference was getting underway, just ahead of the party's first anniversary in power.

Mr Salmond said prescription charges had been cut, council tax frozen and rates for small firms cut.

But the minority administration still faces several long-term challenges.

Ministers need to build support in parliament for an independence referendum and to replace the council tax with a local income tax.

The two-day conference, at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, is expected to be attended by more than 1,000 people and features debates and fringe meetings.

BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor will also be putting your questions to Mr Salmond in a live webchat on Saturday at 1100 BST.

Mr Salmond said: "The SNP is approaching its first year in government. It has been a year of achievement.

"As the SNP Government focuses on delivering a more successful country, confidence in what we say and do rises and support for independence increases.

"Scotland has an unrivalled opportunity to succeed by gaining the powers and responsibilities that can only come with independence and equality in the modern world."