A second poll gives Alex Salmond's and Nicola Sturgeon's party a boost

The Scottish Daily Mail survey also predicted a strong showing for the Scottish Green Party.

The results of the poll, by Progressive Scottish Opinions, come the day after The Times poll gave the Nationalists a lead over Labour.

The Mail survey, conducted between 19 and 26 March, involved 1,007 adults.

The newspaper handed its findings to Professor John Curtice of the University of Strathclyde who predicted the breakdown of seats following the poll.

SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL POLL SNP - 34% (constituency) 32% (list) Labour - 28% (constituency) 28% (list) Lib Dems - 11% (constituency) 11% (list) Tories - 11% (constituency) 10% (list) Greens - 9% (constituency) 10% (list)

He said the figures translated into 46 Holyrood seats for the SNP; 40 to Labour; 17 to the Lib Dems; 12 to the Tories; 10 to the Greens and four to others.

Based on these figures a coalition with the Lib Dems would give neither the SNP nor Labour a majority.

The poll also suggested that one third of voters were said to be undecided.

On Thursday, SNP leader Alex Salmond was due to unveil his campaign in Edinburgh as the Scottish Parliament meets for the last time before polling day.

'Choice of independence'

He was expected to be joined by deputy Nicola Sturgeon and a range of candidates for Holyrood.

Speaking before the launch, Mr Salmond said: "The SNP go into the election in great heart, with another poll showing the SNP ahead - the sixth this year.

"This is the strongest position the SNP have ever gone into an election campaign.