Charles Kennedy has been "greatly missed" from the debate on Britain's EU membership, the First Minister will say.

Nicola Sturgeon will pay tribute to the former Liberal Democrat leader at an annual memorial lecture in his honour.

Kennedy spent his life arguing for greater involvement with Europe.

The First Minister follows Lord Wallace, who gave the inaugural lecture last November.

Lord Wallace's tribute to the former MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber was delivered five months after he died aged 55.

Sturgeon is expected to say: "Charles was an ardent supporter of the European Union. He once described himself as a Highlander first, Scottish second, British third, and European fourth.

"However he was proud of, and comfortable with, all of those identities. In fact, he served as president of the European Movement from 2004 until his death.

"I can't be the only person during the last year who has thought about the contribution Charles could have made to the UK-wide discussions on EU membership.

"His sense, good humour and wisdom have been greatly missed in that debate."

Sturgeon will also laud Kennedy's contributions made on Lochaber's changing economy and how it fits in with the current discussions on deindustrialisation across the Western world.

The First Minister will say: "In his maiden speech to the House of Commons, Charles talked about the lack of opportunities that young people at that time faced - in Lochaber and across these islands.

"He went on to argue that a loss of opportunities has economic, social and political consequences.

"Versions of that argument have been heard a great deal in recent months about voters of all ages, not simply about young people. They have often been made in relation to Brexit, and indeed last week's US elections.

"Unless parliaments and governments work for every individual in society, disillusionment in politics and in society will grow."

She will add: "I believe Scotland, and Lochaber, is in a better place now than in 1983. I believe that devolution has helped, as Charles predicted it would."

Kennedy remains the Liberal Democrats' most successful leader after guiding the party to 62 seats in the 2005 general election.