ALEX Salmond highlighted green energy as he told his party conference that Scotland should "think big" on the road to independence. The Scottish National Party leader said in Perth that the cause is on "the crest of a wave", as he set out priorities for the Holyrood election campaign and presented himself as challenger for the top job. "I am standing for First Minister - and we are running to win, " he said.

He reaffirmed policies on paying off student debt and making health boards directly elected, along with having nearly half of Scotland's homes generating some of their own power.

One new idea included in the speech was to boost support for children having trouble with the transition from primary to secondary, using specialist guidance teachers. He also attacked Jack McConnell, the First Minister, over claiming Scotland is the Best Small Country in the World. Mr Salmond said "Scotland's only small to those who think small - it's time to think big".