Salmond in 'pull together' plea

Mr Salmond said the government was tackling the economic downturn

The next year will be an "enormous challenge" for many as the full impact of the credit crunch bites, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has warned.

Delivering his New Year message, Mr Salmond stressed the importance of Scots pulling together as a nation.

He urged people to back 2009's Homecoming event, marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

Mr Salmond said the initiative could boost Scotland's tourism industry.

The first minister said New Year was a time for family and looking back, as well as forward.

The economic storm clouds are gathering Alex Salmond First minister of Scotland

He added: "For many people, 2009 will be an enormous challenge, with the full impact of the economic downturn starting to bite.

"At times like this, therefore, it is even more important that we pull together as a nation.

"The economic storm clouds are gathering. But I know we will weather this storm - and emerge even stronger, and well placed to prosper."

The Scottish Government, Mr Salmond went on, was delivering an economic recovery plan to help families and business.

This, he said, included speeding up economic investment and £70m to allow local authorities to freeze council tax in the coming year.

The first minister went on to say that Homecoming Scotland, involving more than 300 events across the country, was an opportunity to, "turn a threatened tourism downturn into a visitor boom".