John Swinney's leadership of the SNP is to be challenged this autumn.

Party officials were taken by surprise on Friday after a little known local Scottish Nationalist lodged papers that will force a vote at the party's autumn conference.

Dr Bill Wilson, who stood as a candidate for Glasgow Maryhill, will take on Swinney over the party's poor showing in May's elections for the Scottish Parliament.

The party lost eight MSPs - including two key Swinney supporters - in the May poll.

The 39-year-old Glasgow activist is seen as a stalking horse candidate who may bring stronger challenges from Swinney's more senior rivals in the SNP.

Wilson is believed to be a close ally of Alex Neil, the MSP who stood against Swinney when Alex Salmond stood down three years ago.

Deputy leader Roseanna Cunningham is also in the frame should Swinney fail to see off the challenge.One of the party's former MSPs, Dorothy-Grace Elder, said it was time for grassroots supporters to take control of the party.