Tributes have been pouring in for a much-loved musician who has died after losing his battle with cancer.

Ricky Donaldson, who was keyboard player with popular local band Broomberry Drive, passed away at home shortly after midnight on Sunday.

The 64-year-old had been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in March and underwent chemotherapy but sadly the treatment failed and his health rapidly deteriorated.

His heartbroken wife Shirley, speaking at her home in Castle Levan, told the Greenock Telegraph: "I have lost my soulmate.

"Ricky was a very caring person, always putting others before himself.

"He was unselfish to a fault."

Shirley says she feels as if it hasn't sunk in yet that Ricky is gone.

Shirley said: "It's surreal. That's the only way to describe it. There's no music in the house, Ricky had music in the house all day.

"He used to make me a cup of tea and my packed lunch for work. He looked after me well. I couldn't have asked for better."

Only six months before, Ricky had complained of a sensation when he was swallowing and a scan showed he had cancer.

Shirley said: "I was devastated. I couldn't take it in at the time. But he was very positive and the doctors recommended six rounds of chemotherapy to try to stop it.

"But they had to stop treatment after three sessions because he was so weak and his condition went downhill."

Shirley cared for her husband for three weeks at the couple's home before he passed away.

It was love at first sight for the pair who met on a 'set up' date back in 1989.

They got engaged six months later and were married at the Old West Kirk in Greenock a year later.

Shirley wants to thank doctors and nursing staff at Ardgowan Medical Practice for all their support.

She would also like to thank everyone for their best wishes and messages of condolence.

Ricky's funeral will be held at Greenock Crematorium on Monday at 1pm and afterwards to Greenock Golf Club.