It put the SNP on 32% to Labour's 26%, the Tories' 21%, and the Lib Dems' 13%.

But the figures, in a breakdown of a YouGov poll for the Sun newspaper, are based on a small Scottish sample, of 141 people.

The SNP said the findings suggested a record lead over Labour equating to Nationalists winning 23 seats, Labour 21, the Lib Dems eight and the Tories seven.

SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "It indicates a record lead for the SNP over Labour in a Westminster election poll, with our support nearly doubled since 2005.

"Although it is a small sample size, these figures are indicative of the strong trend of increased support for the SNP for both Westminster and Holyrood elections, on the back of our solid policy delivery in government."

The poll was conducted from May 7-8, at the height of the referendum controversy.

Labour meanwhile accused Alex Salmond of "cosying up" to the Tories by saying he would seek common ground with David Cameron's party if they won a general election.

Labour's Jackie Baillie said: "In 1979 the SNP voted with the Tories to bring down a Labour government. In 2008 we are seeing the resurrection of the Tory/SNP alliance against Labour."

She continued: "This week the SNP have been running scared of the Scottish people by not having the guts to bring forward an independence referendum and end the constitutional uncertainty they have caused. Instead it's clear they have been devoting their energies to sending out signals to the Tories."



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