A THREE Towns man who was rescued from Manila after being ‘abandoned like a dying dog’ has died in hospital.

Robert Gray, known as Bobby, was brought back safely to North Ayrshire last December after more than four weeks of campaigning by friends in the Three Towns and the Herald.

Mr Gray was initially given a room in a homeless shelter in Princes Street before he was rehoused by the council to a property in Irvine.

READ MORE: Ardrossan man abandoned in Manila brought home after ordeal

However, the Ayrshire man sadly died in hospital earlier this week.

Councillor Jim Montgomerie who played an influential role in bringing Bobby back home told the Herald: "I am absolutely gutted. I cannot believe it. I was only talking to him to a couple of weeks ago.

"I am in total shock. It is very sad news.”

Tributes have already start to pour in for Mr Gray from those that knew him.

Bobby Crozier, a friend, who set up a fundraising page to help bring Mr Gray back home told the Herald: “I felt numb when I found out. I was shocked. It is hard to take.

“I thought he was over the worst of his ordeal but you do not know what his body was saying inside.

“He had settled in so well in Irvine. He had made friends, and everyone spoke very highly of him.

“He was never one for complaining and he just seemed to be looking better after all the weight he lost in Manila.

“It is just terrible what has happened.”