Former First Minister Henry McLeish is a strong contender to take on the SNP at the forthcoming by-election in Glenrothes, The Herald has learned.

With the funeral of the former MP, John MacDougall, taking place on Monday, there was a reluctance yesterday to discuss the political succession in Fife.

But it is understood some in the Labour hierarchy are attracted to the idea of Mr McLeish returning to the fray in a seat he once held, and that Mr McLeish himself is not averse to the idea.

Mr McLeish worked with Mr MacDougall on Fife Regional Council and was succeeded by him when he left his seat and moved on to Holyrood as one of the architects of devolution.

There are councillors and regional list MSPs also in the frame but a senior Labour source in London told The Herald: "At a by-election you either need an issue that transcends everything else or a candidate who transcends everything else."