Children who are still at school will be able to stand for election to the Scottish parliament under plans being considered by the Liberal Democrats.

Party members are due to vote on a motion at their conference in Aviemore next week which would mean the age limit for Scottish election candidates is dropped to 16.

Other proposals that are likely to become party policy include giving communities the right to buy bank branches threatened with closure, halting the merger of the British Transport Police with Police Scotland and introducing new rules on puppy breeding. The Liberal Democrats have long had the reputation of being one of the least restrictive parties when it comes to considering new ideas. At last year’s conference its members backed a