The membership of the SNP has increased by more than 1,000 since the turn of the year, with almost 100 new members joining every week since the party’s victory in elections to the Scottish Parliament in May, SNP business convener Angus Robertson MP has said.

Speaking to the party's national executive committee, Robertson said that the end of quarter membership figures showed a rise in members of over 8% in the last six months, with 13,585 members as of June 30, compared to 12,571 on the December 31 2006.

The organisation said it had been working flat out to cope with a flood of applications after the SNP emerged as the largest party in the Scottish election and entered government for the first time.

Robertson said: “SNP membership continues to grow apace as we carry forward the momentum of our election success.

“Around 100 new members are joining the SNP every week, making us Scotland's fastest growing political party.

“The elections on May 3 saw the SNP win the most seats in the Scottish Parliament, the most councillors across the nation, end enter government for the first time ever.

“We expect to see the party continue to grow as we start about the job of building a new and better future for Scotland.”