Tributes have been paid to a North Ayrshire councillor who died at the weekend.

John Glover, who passed away on Saturday, February 24, had represented the Kilwinning ward for the Scottish Conservatives since 2017.

However, he had been unable to attend any meetings of the council or its committees since May 2023 because of ill health.

North Ayrshire Council had agreed to grant Cllr Glover leave on health grounds until May 2024 after Conservative group leader Councillor Tom Marshall confirmed his party colleague was "somewhat unwell".

Before entering politics, Cllr Glover had worked in his family's agricultural business and was also involved in selling farm machinery.

His fellow Conservative councillor, Todd Ferguson, said in a social media announcement on Sunday: "Very sad news to share this afternoon that my friend and colleague Councillor John Glover passed away peacefully yesterday.

"I’m absolutely devastated by the news.

"Since we were first elected together in 2017, John has been a tremendous source of support and encouragement to me.

"I will dearly miss his good humour, and especially his stories.

"My thoughts and prayers are with John’s family at this difficult time. Rest easy, brother."

Councillor Glover was elected to NAC for the first time in 2017, when he secured a place on the first round of counting after receiving 1,224 'first preference' votes from Kilwinning area residents.

He retained his seat at the last local government election in May 2022, though this time not until the sixth round of counting under the 'single transferable vote' system.