THE Scottish Tory Party launched its Holyrood election manifesto today.

It pledged to cut council tax for the over-65s by half, provide affordable housing and crack down on crime.

Its leader Annabel Goldie also said the Tories would create high-speed train links between Glasgow and Edinburgh, cut business rates and fight the closure of Accident and Emergency Units.

Ms Goldie said it was putting "social responsibility at the heart of our proposals". She said: "We'll focus on the areas where the Scottish Parliament has failed to deliver - on affordable homes, on standing up for Scotland's families and on crime and drugs."

The Tory leader said her party would create Affordable Homes Trusts backed by an initial fund of £100million a year where prospective homebuyers would be able to apply for assistance.

She claimed the trusts would enable "workers and their families" find suitable homes.

The party would also abolish housing body Communities Scotland and fund local housing associations directly.

Its plans for cutting council tax for pensioners claim a typical single pensioner in a band D house could expect to save £400 a year while an equivalent pensioner couple would be £600 better off.

Ms Goldie also outlined plans to cut the public sector where, she said, the number of workers had grown by 50,000 since 1999 and the number of MSPs from 129 to 108.

Business would be helped by an annual sum of £150m to reduce the rates burden on small and medium enterprises.

Scottish Water would be "liberated from state control and replaced by a "not for dividend" company. Further help for business would come through improved transport links including a high-speed rail line between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

On crime Ms Goldie said victims' rights would be put before criminals; streets would be made safer by the recruitment of 1500 police officers; there would be zero-tolerance of low-level crime; and tougher sentences for serious criminals.

Conservative plans at a glance

Affordable Housing Trusts.

Council tax halved for the over-65s.

Recruitment of 1500 extra police officers.

Zero tolerance to low-level crime.

Tougher sentences for serious criminals.

£100million a year for drugs rehabilitation.

Possible high-speed rail link for Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Lower business rates.

Head teachers to get more power.

School boards reinstated.

Review A&E closures.