MSPs have been urged to vote with their consciences and back legislation that would introduce a "soft opt-out" system for organ donation in Scotland.

The Transplantation Bill was introduced by Labour MSP Anne McTaggart to increase the number of organs available for transplantation.

The Scottish Government has tabled an amendment rejecting the Bill and has proposed a detailed consultation on further methods to increase organ donations and transplants, including soft opt-out, as an early priority in the next Scottish Parliament.

Several SNP MSPs - who have been given a free vote on the legislation - are expected to back Ms McTaggart.

The Bill would introduce a soft opt-out system as opposed to the current opt-in system, allowing for organs and tissues to be removed from an adult after death if they had not registered or expressed an objection during their lifetime.

Families would be consulted to establish any objection that had not been registered.

Speaking in the stage one debate on the Bill at Holyrood, Ms McTaggart said: "Members should be in no doubt that people want us to introduce a soft opt-out system of organ donation.

"Not at some point in the future, but right here, right now.

"We can agree at a later date the mechanics, how we will implement this system, if there is a will, and a political will, to do so."

She continued: "We have the opportunity today to save more lives, please take it. That opportunity may not come around again for a very long time.

"If you believe in soft opt-out, then vote with your conscience and vote yes at decision time tonight."

Public health minister Maureen Watt said she agreed with concerns raised by the Health Committee, which rejected the Bill in its report.

She told MSPs many of the measures it contained could make things worse due to legal ambiguities and delays in the decision-making process.

There were particular concerns around authorised investigating persons and proxies - where people could nominate a proxy to confirm their desire to donate and possibly overrule opposing family.

Some of these issues could not be addressed in amendments to the Bill at stage two, Ms Watt said.

She added: "For the reasons set out, the Scottish Government can't support this particular Bill, but we will instead commence work immediately on our own consultation to develop a safe, effective and workable system for Scotland."

Labour's Rhoda Grant said the "vast majority" of Scottish people wish to donate their organs.

She said: "No-one is suggesting that this is the only thing that needs to be done to increase donations. We need to do much, much more ... however the legislation changes the focus of donation where the presumption is that someone would wish to donate."

Tory MSP Nanette Milne said: "I would like to see the ongoing effort to increase organ donation enhanced further and I welcome the Scottish Government's commitment to a thorough consultation on further ways to increase donation and transplantation including a soft opt-out system, which I think should be informed by the experience in Wales."