The SNP will today welcome our 15,000th member on the day of his eighteenth birthday.

18 year old Andrew Pyle will receive his special 15,000th member card from SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond at SNP Annual Conference in Perth.

SNP membership has increased by 50% in the four years since the party welcomed its 10,000th member in 2004 whilst at the same time support for the SNP for Westminster election has doubled since 2005.

Speaking as he handed Mr Pyle his membership card SNP leader Alex Salmond said;

"I want to welcome Andrew to the SNP as our 15000th member and wish him a Happy Birthday as he joins us on his 18th birthday.

"The continued growth of the SNP's membership shows the success and popularity of the SNP in Government. Since we welcomed our 10,000th member in 2004 our membership has increased by 50% and at the same time polls show our Westminster support has doubled since 2005.

"It is only the SNP in Scotland that is winning new members and winning public support as we deliver real improvements for Scotland such as abolishing the graduate endowment, freezing council tax, cutting prescription charges and investing in our schools, colleges and universities.  

"Andrew has made the right choice and I welcome him to the party."

Andrew Pyle said;

"Becoming the SNP's 15000th member on my eighteenth birthday is a real privilege.

"I have wanted to join the SNP for some time and getting my membership card from the First Minister is a great bonus.

"The SNP have really delivered for Scotland and I am looking forward to being involved in the party for the years ahead."