Scotland's 'Yes' campaign takes the lead in opinion poll

According to a YouGov survey for the Sunday Times newspaper, the "Yes" to independence campaign has 51 percent against the unionists at 49 percent, excluding undecided and abstaining voters.

With those groups included, the secessionists would still be in the lead with 47 percent, in comparison with the unionists on 45 percent, YouGov later said on its website.

Just one month ago the "Better Together" campaign, which backs Scotland staying in Britain, had a 22-point lead in YouGov polling. The new findings dramatically raise the prospect that secessionists - led by First Minister Alex Salmond's Scottish National Party (SNP) - could achieve their goal of breaking the more than 300-year-old union with England.

The "Yes" campaign's chief executive, Blair Jenkins, urged his side to remain focused, "While this poll puts us marginally ahead, other polls show that we still have more progress to make if we are to win."

Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign, said the latest poll showed the referendum "will go down to the wire."

"It is not the Battle of Britain," he added, "It is the battle for Scotland, for Scotland's children and grandchildren and the generations to come. This is a battle we will win."

Scotland represents one-third of Britain's landmass and nationalists accuse London of squandering Scotland's wealth.

Unionists, including Britain's three main political parties, say Scottish independence would bring significant financial, economic and political uncertainty.

Any vote for Scotland to leave Britain could put pressure on Prime Minister David Cameron to stand down. Cameron, who is due to visit Queen Elizabeth in Scotland on Sunday, has insisted he will not resign.

The independence referendum is due to take place on September 18.

hc/se (AFP, Reuters)