The Scottish Socialist Party has kicked off its campaign for May's Holyrood election by unveiling six key pledges.

The party's leader and sole MSP, Tommy Sheridan, said that the pledges were "radical, exciting and achievable".

The list MSP for Glasgow said: "They will attack poverty, redistribute income, improve health, create jobs, end privatisation and help to stop the war.

"They will make a real difference to the people of Scotland unlike the pale, soggy policies of the four main parties," Mr Sheridan added.

The SSP's pledges will form part of the party's manifesto which will be launched in March.

They are:

• Abolish council tax in favour of Scottish Service Tax based on income

• Free school meals for every state school pupil

• A minimum wage of �7.32 for all public sector workers

• A 35-hour maximum working week across the public sector

• End PFI and clear private finance from Scotland's public services

• Oppose and obstruct any war for oil

The SSP, which will fight every seat at the Scottish Parliament elections in May, is predicting that it could return as many as eight MSPs.

Mr Sheridan said that his party could hold the balance of power in the parliament after the elections.

"The price of our support will be the implementation of our six pledges," he said.