First Minister Alex Salmond has launched the SNP's General Election campaign saying his party's MPs will be "champions" for Scottish people.

The Scottish leader’s speech in Edinburgh also criticised Westminster politics adding that the SNP intends to "put the decisions of Scotland's voters at the heart of the election".

Labour have criticised the SNP's "obsession" with a hung parliament, and the Tories say it would destabilise any government in tackling the debt issues facing the country.

Mr Salmond said: "At this election, more than ever before, Scotland needs champions.

"And so on polling day, we are not just choosing MPs in the House of Commons. We are choosing national champions to stand up for the people of Scotland.

"National champions and local champions who will offer communities across our nation the voices that they need."

He also warned London-based parties over plans to cut Scottish jobs and services.

"The London parties talk about cuts as though it was all about numbers on a balance sheet," added the First Minister.

"But we know different. Behind those cuts will be real people, real services, real jobs. At this election, the choice is clear. We must do all we can to protect those people, those services and those jobs.

"The more SNP MPs elected, the stronger Scotland's position will be, because at this election the message is simple - more Nats means less cuts."

An SNP spokesman said the campaign will focus on "the increasingly likely potential for a hung parliament and the importance of a strong Scottish voice at Westminster".

The party is also planning a series of community events in order to "take the pulse of Scotland".

Tory MSP David McLetchie said both the SNP and the Lib Dems were pinning their hopes on a hung parliament.

He said: "Voters do not want a hung parliament at Westminster. They want a strong and stable government to tackle the legacy of Labour's debt mountain.

"People want a strong group of Scottish Conservative MPs at Westminster to stand up for Scotland's interests."

Mr McLetchie said the Tories - who have just one Scottish MP - were well placed to win 11 seats in the country.

Labour accused the SNP of launching their campaign "for a Tory government".

Scottish secretary Jim Murphy MP said: "The SNP are launching their campaign to inflict a Tory Government on the people of Scotland.

"Everyone knows that only two people can become Prime Minister - Gordon Brown or David Cameron.

"The SNP's voting record in Westminster shows that they are more than happy to support the Tories in their ambition to throw away a future that is fair for all in Scotland.

"They do not have any chance in leading the next government, but they have made it absolutely clear that they are more than happy to forget what the Tories did to Scotland when they were in the power and let them back into Government.

"A vote for the SNP will let the Tories in the back door - and that would do serious damage to the lives of people in Scotland."

Scottish leader Iain Gray MSP also criticised Mr Salmond. He said: "Scots know Alex Salmond and the SNP have nothing to offer in the general election.

"His obsession with a hung parliament is all about him and the SNP not the welfare of the whole country. That's why he wants the Tories to win. The SNP have shown over the last three years they cannot be trusted."