THE SNP took the biggest share of the Scottish vote in the European Parliament election and hailed the campaign a success.

The party returned two MEPs, Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith, but failed its target to get a third, Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh, elected and keep UKIP out in Scotland.

Labour also returned their two MEPs, David Martin and Catherine Stihler, and the Tories again had one seat, with Dr Ian Duncan replacing Struan Stevenson as the party's representative in Brussels and Strasbourg.

UKIP took the sixth seat from the LibDems with David Coburn replacing George Lyon, and the Greens narrowly missing out.

Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister, said: "With the full results now in, this is a fantastic victory for the SNP and a vote of confidence in the Scottish Government. Over seven years into an SNP Government, and we have won the popular vote yet again in a national election.

"In topping the poll in Scotland, the SNP have also won a higher share of the vote than UKIP across the UK or in England, and higher than Labour in Wales, where these parties topped the polls."

Labour leader Johann Lamont said the SNP and UKIP were both nationalist parties.

She said: ""Alex Salmond and Nigel Farage represent the same things, but our country deserves better than the simple analysis that our neighbours are the problem dressed up in saloon bar charm."

The Conservatives were pleased with their result, scoring their highest share of the vote since 1989.

Dr Duncan said"The people of Scotland clearly want change and I will go to Brussels determined to fight for their interests.

"A Europe that works for us not against us is my aim and I will continue to listen to the people of Scotland to ensure that it is their interests, their concerns and their desires that I am championing in Brussels."