The hunt for a new top team to revive the ailing Scottish Labour Party has officially started, with nominations now open for the posts of leader and deputy leader.

With just over six months to go until the Westminster elections – in which a poll has predicted Labour could win as few as four Scottish seats – Ed Miliband needs the party's fortunes to improve if he is going to become the next prime minister.

Three candidates have already put themselves forward to succeed Johann Lamont – who quit suddenly last week – as Scottish Labour leader.

MP Jim Murphy, a former Scottish secretary and the current shadow international development secretary, has already emerged as the favourite for the job.

But he faces competition from Holyrood, with MSPs Neil Findlay and Sarah Boyack both wanting the post.

There are currently no candidates for the post of deputy leader, a vacancy which emerged after Anas Sarwar announced his resignation from the position at Scottish Labour's gala dinner in Glasgow last night.