Alex Salmond has formally resigned as Scotland's first minister. In his resignation speech he spoke of “more change and better days” ahead for Scotland.

Salmond told the Scottish Parliament his seven-and-a-half years in office has been "the privilege of his life".

Nicola Sturgeon takes over as Scottish National Party leader and is expected to be voted in as First Minister by fellow MSPs tomorrow.

Mr Salmond says his former deputy will make an "outstanding" first minister.

Salmond is considering standing as an MP in the 2015 UK election. He decided to step down as leader of the SNP following defeat in September’s vote on Scottish independence.

Salmond said: "It has been the privilege of my life to serve as first minister for these last seven-and-a-half years.

"Any parting is tinged with some sorrow, but in this case it's vastly outweighed by a sense of optimism and confidence.

"Confidence that we will have an outstanding new first minister, confidence in the standing and the capability of this chamber and - most of all - confidence in the wisdom, the talent, the potential of the people of Scotland."