SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has come out on top in the first poll after the seven leaders faced each other in a televised debate.

The YouGov survey of 1,117 adults put UKIP leader Nigel Farage in second place with 20%, with Prime Minister David Cameron on 18%.

Fifteen per cent of those polled thought Labour leader Ed Miliband did best in the contest.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg polled 10%, followed by Green Party leader Natalie Bennett on 5% and Plaid Cymru's Leanne Wood on 4%.

Mr Miliband was judged to be the best performer in an ICM poll for The Guardian, taking 25% of the support, a whisker ahead of the PM on 24%.

Mr Farage was third (19%), followed by Ms Sturgeon (17%), Mr Clegg (9%), Ms Bennett (3%) and Ms Wood (2%).

A third poll, by ComRes for ITV, had Mr Cameron, the Labour leader and Mr Farage tied on 21%.

The three leaders were followed by Ms Sturgeon (20%), Mr Clegg (9%), Ms Bennett (5%) and Ms Wood (2%).