THE Scottish music industry has paid tribute to a talented young singer who tragically died last year.

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award asked guests to raise a toast to The Lapelles star Gary Watson during a tribute at the ceremony which was held in Paisley Town Hall last night.

The East Kilbride singer died after falling into the River Clyde on what would have been his 22nd birthday last August.

Gary was the lead singer and guitarist in the indie pop band which formed in 2012.

He began writing songs in his mid-teens and was a regular busker at East Kilbride's shopping centre.

Before his death, the group secured a management deal with a London-based agency and were set to go on tour around Britain.

The band had put on impressive shows at Glasgow's King Tuts, Belladrum music festival and T in the Park.

Last night's ceremony saw Sacred Paws crowned as the winner for their album Strike A Match.

The Glasgow-based duo received their £20,000 prize from co-hosts Vic Galloway and Nicola Meighan. 

Sarcred Paws Rachel Aggs said: "We are not always the most confident people and I think playing music has a lot to do with confidence so this is completely overwhelming and we don’t feel like we belong here but, at the same time, we feel validated for what we do. Thank you.”

Produced by The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), and now in its sixth year, The SAY Award has grown to become the most prestigious music prize in Scotland.

For the past two years, the award has teamed up with Renfrewshire Council, supporting the Paisley bid for UK City of Culture 2021.