Latest polls indicate that the current East Renfrewshire MP, Labour’s Jim Murphy, is favourite to be re-elected in May’s general elections.

However the SNP is estimated to be just two per cent behind labour at 31 per cent of the vote, with the Tory party falling to 27 per cent in UKelects latest predictions.

An online crowd-funding campaign launched by the East Renfrewshire branch of the SNP has seen some residents donate up to £270.

Mrs Oswald, a human resources manager who lives in Clarkston, says the sum will help make her campaign a success, but has dismissed recent poll results as nothing more than “shots in time”.

She said: “Reaching and beating our funding target means we can mount a more effective campaign.

“We can expand and hopefully reach every area of East Renfrewshire.

“It has been a real team effort, with lots of support being shown.” Mrs Oswald now hope to use the additional funds to secure premises in East Renfrewshire for the election drive, produce leaflets and fund street stalls and frontline campaigning.

However many argue that the SNP hopeful faces a tall order, with East Renfrewshire currently in Labour hands, and a traditional Conservative stronghold before Mr Murphy’s election in 1998.

Latest polls would appear to show the parties neck and neck, and while Mrs Oswald admits it will be a close run affair in May, she does not hold much faith in pre-election polls.

She said: “Polls have their place but ultimately they are a snap in time of a small group of people.

“It will be close in May, there is no denying that but I believe I a can win in East Renfrewshire.”