Alex Salmond is set to launch the SNP's manifesto for May’s council elections with a pledge that his party will "put the people first".

The Nationalist manifesto will include a commitment to continue the Council Tax freeze, as well as a promise for more free nursery hours for children.

It stresses the importance of jobs and opportunities, with a Building for Recovery programme which could see more schools and houses constructed, bringing benefits to local communities as well as creating employment.

The SNP - which is the last of Scotland's main political parties to launch its manifesto for the May 3 vote - will also promise to pay the living wage to council workers and to keep concessionary bus passes.

The First Minister will unveil the party's manifesto in Stirling and will pledge that SNP run councils will "be 'can-do' councils".

He will add that in power in local authorities his party will "put the needs and interests of their local communities first".

Mr Salmond will say: "These elections are about jobs and the services people rely on. And, as this manifesto makes clear, together, at national and local level, the SNP will be working hard to create jobs, protect family budgets and to make Scotland fairer.

"In areas where the SNP is already in administration much has been achieved, but we know there is more still to do. At these elections we can build on that progress as we work to make our communities even better places to live and work for local families.

"And, where we are challenging to be in administration, the SNP will bring fresh thinking and a new approach. We will put the people first and govern with energy and competence."

The SNP brought in the Council Tax freeze following its 2007 Holyrood election victory. Mr Salmond has already announced a pledge that all three and four year olds will receive at least 600 hours of free, flexible nursery education, as will all two-year-olds who are in care.

More About Local elections 2012

• Scotland’s councillors get back to work as the dust settles on elections
• New coalition in Edinburgh sets out promises for next five years
• SNP fury as Labour and Tories strike coalition deal to run Stirling Council
• Voters go to the polls a week late to elect final three councillors
• Councils in Lothians strike deals after days of negotiations
• Councils across Scotland starting to take shape after days of negotiations
• Negotiations across the Lothians in the wake of local government elections