The SNP have said the upcoming election presents a "historic opportunity" for Scotland's young people to shape the country, as the UK's youngest MP Mhairi Black joined Nicola Sturgeon on the campaign trail.

The May 5 Holyrood election will be the first in which 16 and 17-year-olds can vote.

Campaigning in Glasgow on Saturday, Ms Black and the First Minister highlighted the party's policies on free university education and grants for unemployed young people.

They said the Scottish Government's record contrasted with the UK Government's policies on tuition fees and scrapping the Education Maintenance Allowance.

Ms Sturgeon said: "This is the first election in which sixteen and seventeen year olds will have the right to vote, and I am immensely proud that it was the SNP which led the way in delivering this fundamental right to Scotland's young people.

"During our time in government we've taken real action to protect and empower our young people: abolishing tuition fees, delivering votes at sixteen and we are determined to build on the progress we have made.

"That's why we've set out ambitious plans to use all the powers at our disposal to further support our young people - helping them into work and ensuring they are equipped with the skills they need to succeed in the jobs of the future."

The party has pledged to use new powers over benefits to introduce a Jobs Grant for young people aged 16 to 24 who have been out of work for six months and are starting a job for more than 16 hours a week.

The SNP also say they will protect free university education and continue to provide the Education Maintenance Allowance.

Ms Black added: "Young people in Scotland have benefited hugely from so many progressive SNP policies in government, but there is still more to do and it's vitally important that we keep this progress going.

"Since going to Westminster almost a year ago, I've had a clear view of the impact of regressive Tory policies on young people south of the border, and it's made me all the more determined that the social gains made by and for young people in Scotland must be protected from Tory austerity and ideological attacks on free education.

"That's why this election is so important. For the first time 16 and 17 year olds in Scotland will have the chance to choose our nation's government - and can choose to use the new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament ambitiously and progressively."

Also on Saturday, Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson will make a speech in Edinburgh setting out her plans for a strong opposition.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will be joined by Jeremy Corbyn to highlight Labour's pledges on using new tax powers.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie will also meet voters in Cupar, Fife, claiming his party is "back to its best again."