Delegates at the SNP's annual conference have urged the Scottish Government to extend charitable status to state schools.

The move aims to create a "more equal Scotland" by giving state schools the same privileges as private schools.

Private schools can operate as charities through the Charities Act 2005 which saves the institutions many thousands of pounds. After being listed as charities the schools can receive an 80% discount on their non-domestic rate bill.

State schools, however, cannot register as a charity and have to pay full non-domestic rates to local authorities.

Delegates at the conference narrowly passed a resolution calling for a change in the law by 464 votes to 455.

The resolution was put forward Graham Sutherland from the party's Newington and Southside branch.

Sutherland said: "Many of the wealthiest in society decide to opt-out of state education.

"But educating their children at private schools they benefit from about £90m of tax breaks annually.

"The system as it stands also perpetuates educational inequality."

He continued: "State schools are disqualified from holding charitable status at present as they are seen as being under control of ministers. Now, it is true Scottish Government minister do provide the funding for state schools and they set out the guidelines for overall policy.

"However, the detailed running of schools, the control and direction and day-to-day direction lies with local authorities."

The party's youth wing argued for the resolution to be put back for further revision.

Party activist Chris Glendinning said instead of extending charitable status to the state sector the focus should be on removing the tax privileges of private schools.

He told conference delegates: "Although extending charitable status to state schools would give them an entitlement to a similar discount, private schools would continue to receive substantial non-domestic rate relief from the government if this resolution was adopted.

"And the state would still in effect be compelled to subsidise private education. And, delegates, this subsidy would continue to come at the expense of pupils within our state education system."

Glendinning argued revenues raised from removing charitable status would allow the government to better tackle the educational attainment gap between the richest and poorest students.