Independence for Scotland will put the rest of the UK "at risk", according to the Scottish Conservative leader.

Annabel Goldie MSP raised her concern at the UK party's conference in Manchester.

She was joined on Sunday in a special session featuring senior Tories from Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Describing Britishness as a "state of mind", she implored all delegates to "rally to the cause".

Her comments came against the backdrop of a majority victory at Holyrood for First Minister Alex Salmond's SNP.

Mr Salmond is committed to a referendum on independence towards the end of this five-year parliamentary session.

In her speech, Ms Goldie said: "None of us can sit passively by. Believe me, this matters to us all.

"Because if one bit of our United Kingdom house gets demolished, instability sets in, the rest is at risk. And we are all better off together. Scotland in Britain is good for Britain.

"Being part of a union is about sharing of responsibility, risks and rewards.

"Put at its simplest, being Scottish and British - or English or Welsh or Northern Irish and British - is a state of mind.

"It's the way we feel, it is the way we are. Proud of our distinctive cultures and traditions, proud of our partnership together. It just is."

Ms Goldie, who announced after the Scottish election that she will step down, also told Mr Salmond to spell out the terms of the referendum.

She said: "If only he would get on with his separation referendum so that Scotland can speak. And vote to stick with England, Wales and Northern Ireland."

Her contribution formed part of the first day of the conference, in a session called "A United Kingdom".

Meanwhile, the only Tory MP in Scotland has described a proposal to scrap the party north of the border as a "betrayal".

David Mundell criticised the plan by Scottish Conservative leadership candidate Murdo Fraser MSP.

Mr Fraser, one of 15 Tories in the Scottish Parliament, believes the party brand is toxic and should be replaced with a new centre-right alternative.

Writing in the Scotland on Sunday newspaper, Mr Mundell said: "I cannot support the disbanding of our party. It is a betrayal of our stalwart members and activists and the 420,000 people who voted Conservative at the UK general election."