SCOTTISH independence is now seen as more desirable than staying in a post-Brexit UK, according to a new poll.

A Panelbase poll conducted on behalf of LBC and The Sunday Times discovered that a majority of Scots believe going our own way would be better for the country, ahead of the Brexit deal vote in Westminster.

In the event of a no-deal Brexit almost 59% of Scots believe that independence would be a better option, while 53% say independence would be better than staying in the UK even with a negotiated Brexit deal.

Despite this, however, there is still a reluctance to actually vote for independence. Although a majority now believe Scotland would be better off outside of a post-Brexit UK, 53% would still prefer to remain in the UK.

Some 47% of Scots would back independence, though - the highest number in two years for Panelbase.

According to LBC, Ian Blackford said: "We have no real desire in Scotland to be taken out of the European Union against our will.

"And if that is where we end up, then we need to think about what options are open to us."

One of the options would be that Scotland has a referendum on its constitutional future."

Over half of Scots also support a new general election in the event that May's Brexit deal fails to win over the Commons, with 54% saying she should resign if that happens.

In the event of a General Election, the SNP could win 37% of the vote in Scotland, ahead of Labour and the Conservatives, who would be tied on 26%, with the Liberal Democrats on 6% and both Ukip and the Greens on 2%.

Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice forecast such numbers could see the SNP win 39 of the Scottish seats at Westminster, up by four on its current tally, while the Tories could take 12 seats, compared to the 13 they won in 2017. Meanwhile Labour could lose three seats and be left with four MPs in Scotland, with the Lib Dems remaining on four.

Curtice told The Sunday Times Scotland: "Although this poll suggests that support for independence may have edged up a bit, as things stand the nationalist movement still finds itself tantalisingly short of the support it needs to win a second independence referendum.

"However, over half of those who voted No in 2014 still want Britain to remain part of the EU. Some of them at least find the choice between a UK that is leaving the EU and Scottish independence a tough one - and especially so, should the UK leave without a deal.

"In those circumstances, over one in three 2014 No voters find it impossible to say which is preferable, while, even if there is a deal, one in five still finds themselves in that predicament."

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: "The simple fact is that Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and is having its wishes ignored by Westminster.

"There is nothing that highlights Scotland's democratic deficit as starkly as Brexit - and the untold damage it will inflict upon jobs, living standards and our NHS.

"No wonder support for independence is at historically high levels."

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: "This is yet another poll that shows a majority of people in Scotland want to remain in the United Kingdom.

"Voters know that we are better off as part of the UK and it makes sense to remain with our oldest friends, neighbours and allies - rather than divide us in the name of narrow nationalism.

"But with uncertainty over Brexit, it's clear that nationalists are trying to capitalise on that in the desperate hope of boosting support for their campaign to leave the UK. Whatever your views on Brexit, independence is not the answer."

MPs are due to vote on the proposed Brexit deal on the 11th of December.