Tributes have been paid to a north-east councillor who has died.
Ian Gray, the SNP representative for Banff and District, passed away on Saturday after a long illness. He died surrounded by his family.
The local SNP branch posted a message of condolence online: “Banff and Macduff SNP Branch are saddened to have learnt of the passing of Branch member and Banff and District SNP councillor Ian Gray, aged 73 years, after a long battle fought with courage and determination.
“We have lost a good friend and a councillor who was dedicated to the communities he represented.
“Our thoughts at this time are with his family to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.”
Flags at Aberdeenshire Council buildings across the region are flying at half-mast in memory of the long-standing councillor who was elected in 2007.
Tributes have poured in from across the north-east.
Co-leader of Aberdeenshire Council, SNP councillor Richard Thomson, said: “This is a very sad day for us all and for everyone who knew councillor Gray.
“He was a measured, considered and thoroughly professional councillor as well as being passionate about his constituency issues. The Banff and Buchan area has lost a true champion.”
Fellow SNP member John Cox, who chairs the local area committee, said: “We are all deeply saddened to hear this news. Councillor Gray was a well-liked, hardworking and extremely passionate councillor who championed the best interests of those in his constituency.
“Our area committee will miss his strength and direction and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
And Conservative councillor and leader of the opposition Alliance group Jim Gifford added: “Elected members from across the political spectrum will miss councillor Gray a great deal. He was a very honest and hardworking man and this is a loss to us all.”
