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and the may not have enjoyed the best of election nights but their dream scenario of a hung Parliament has come true.

And the SNP leader Alex Salmond has been quick to accept - he says on behalf of both parties - the offer of civil service talks to help construct "an alternative government scenario".

Gordon Brown described the option as "support on request to parties engaged in discussions on the formation of government."

Despite disappointing results in Wales and Scotland, the SNP leader said a hung parliament had dealt the two parties "a mighty hand".

Mr Salmond also ruled out doing a deal with the Conservatives. Jeremy Paxman: "There's no possibility of you doing a deal with the Conservatives, given they have such minimal support there, is there?"

Alex Salmond: "Well if you want a straight answer to the question I think you're absolutely right."

He told ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News:

"Fate seems to have dealt us a mighty hand between ourselves and Plaid Cymru. There would have to be some involvement of the SNP and Plaid Cymru if you were to construct an alternative government scenario, so for that reason I'm accepting the offer of the Prime Minister on behalf of the SNP and Plaid Cymru to have the civil service back-up to have discussions to see what the possibilities are in terms of defending the interests of Scotland and Wales in this parliamentary situation."

A senior Plaid Cymru source said: "Discussions need to take place, both internally and between parties, Plaid will not be providing a running commentary on this".

UPDATE 1330: Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd tells ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Wales: "We have kept all our options open... we are not ruling anything in or out."

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