Nicola Sturgeon: I wanted to be "the modern day Enid Blyton"

The First Minister said she had no wish as a child to enter politics, but yearned to become a lawyer or a children's author just like Blyton, who wrote the Famous Five and Secret Seven books.

She fulfilled one ambition as she practised as a solicitor before entering politics, and hinted she may yet turn her hand to writing children's books.

Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Schools learning programme "Dream Job with Nicola Sturgeon", to be broadcast on Thursday morning, she said: "When I was younger I didn't really see myself as a politician.

"I had two ambitions when I was younger, which kind of came and went depending on what kind of mood I was in.

"I wanted to be a lawyer, which is what I went on and did before I was in politics.

"Secondly, I always had this dream of being a children's author. I wanted to be the modern-day Enid Blyton, which I haven't managed to achieve.

"But who knows, one day in the future."

The First Minister reveals her writing ambition in the first in a seven-part series of Dream Job, targeted at upper primary pupils aged seven to 11.

She said she is still an avid reader "when I get some time off and I've got a bit of time to myself", and often turns to books to escape the pressures of her job.

She added:  "That and occasionally watching some rubbish television and spending time with my family when I get the chance."

She also urged school children to "read books as much as you can".

She added: "If you don't read books start reading books. It's not just that it's good for you because you learn a lot and your literacy will improve, but it's also really exciting. Losing yourself in a book and a story is really special.

"I loved it when I was younger and I still love it today."

Sturgeon tells interviewer Bryan Burnett that politics is a "force for doing good things if you set about doing it right".

She revealed that many Scots -- particularly in Glasgow -- are quick to offer their opinions on how she is doing her job.

She said: "I always think there are some parts of Scotland where people are slightly more reserved than others. So if I walk down a street in Edinburgh I think people will be slightly more reserved about it but if I walk down a street in Glasgow then people will just tell me as it is.

"One of the great things about Scottish people I think is we do speak our mind. That's a good thing for politicians.

"It also means you never get above yourself."

She also said it bothers her to read "horrible things" about her in the press, but that she had developed a "thick skin".

She said it can be harder for loved-ones, however, and admitted her mother and sister get "much more upset".

She said: "Any politician that tells you it doesn't bother them when they read really horrible things about themselves in the papers is not telling you the truth.

"We're all human beings so of course it bothers you, but you just have to develop a wee bit of a thick skin and not let it get to you too much.

"I think probably it's harder for people around politicians, like your family. My mum and my sister get much more upset than I do when they read horrible things about me in the newspapers."