Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has been elected as Scottish Labour's deputy leader.

Ms Baillie secured the title with 10,311 votes over rival contender, Glasgow councillor Matt Kerr who polled 7,528 votes.

In announcing the result to members, Cara Hilton, chair of the Scottish Labour Party, thanked both candidates for the passion and enthusiasm of their campaigns, and said it was now time for the whole party to unite behind Ms Baillie and leader Richard Leonard.

She added: "I look forward to working with Jackie to support Richard in building for the Scottish Parliament elections next year, but also with the immediate task of standing up for workers and people across our communities during the coronavirus crisis."

Ms Baillie said she was humbled by the support she had received from members and trade unionists across Scotland.

She added: "When this election started, nobody expected the country to be in the grip of a global pandemic.

"Our collective focus will remain on the challenge that COVID-19 poses to the very fabric of our society.

"Our heartfelt thanks goes to the workers on the frontline – from doctors and nurses to social care staff, police officers and food retail workers.

"They are helping to care for us and keep us safe at a time of crisis and we should never forget their bravery and service.

"We will get through this together."

Ms Baillie said it would be some time before politics returned to normal, but pointed out that the next Scottish Parliament elections were now just over one year away.

She added: "The Scottish Labour Party has a huge challenge ahead of us.

"Working together with Richard Leonard, our new UK leader [Sir Keir Starmer] and the entire Labour movement, I am ready for that challenge.

"I will work each and every day to repay the trust placed in me by members so that we rebuild our party, and win back the trust of the people of Scotland."

Mr Leonard said he was delighted that Ms Baillie had been elected.

He added: "We will unite the party and work closely together to get the party in shape to fight the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.

“Jackie will bring a renewed energy and determination to win so I am extremely pleased that she is joining the leadership team at this critical time.

Paddy Lillis, general secretary of the retail workers' union Usdaw, said: “Jackie has the national profile and skills to take Scottish Labour’s message into every community across Scotland.

"I look forward to working with her as an effective champion for Scottish Labour and working people."