FORMER Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Gray has died in hospital aged 80.

He was Provost between 1980 and 1984 when he met a host of visiting dignitaries and royalty, including Princess Diana.

Mr Gray, who served as a Labour councillor for Wyndford for 28 years, was described as a great ambassador for Glasgow.

He was closely involved in the city's bids to win the right to host the Garden Festival in 1988 and European City of Culture in 1990 - two of the major landmarks in the regeneration of Glasgow.

Famously, Mr Gray shared a joke with Princess Diana during her Royal visit to the Garden Festival.

In a recent Evening Times interview he said: "I can't tell you what I said to Diana - I'd have to shoot you!"

But he did reveal that meeting the Princess was a great experience.

He recalled: "She was easy to remember. She was one of those characters who stood out, no matter what she did.

"No disrespect to Prince Charles, but as far as I was concerned, she made the day. She just had a natural way with her."

Garscadden/Scotstounhill councillor Jean McFadden was council leader during Mr Gray's time as Provost.

She said: "Two of the things we worked on when he was Lord Provost were the bids for the Garden Festival and European City of Culture. We always supported each other through whatever - bad times like the rate capping in 1982 and good times like winning those two great accolades.

"I don't think he always got the credit he deserved."

During his time as Provost, Mr Gray, who was a joiner to trade, signed twinning agreements with Nuremberg, Rostov-on-Don, in Russia, and Dalian, China.

He was awarded a Papal Knighthood - The Knighthood of St Gregory - on December 12, 2006, one of the highest honours to be bestowed on a Catholic lay-person.

Former Lord Provost Alex Mosson said: "He was honoured for his contribution to education as convener of the education committee and also the role he played in education within the Catholic community."

Mr Gray's daughter Marie, 43, said: "He enjoyed promoting Glasgow and the variety of people he met in that role."

Current Lord Provost Bob Winter said: "I was sorry to learn of the passing of Robert Gray. He served the city of Glasgow well."

Mr Gray was admitted to hospital with a bad back but died after developing pneumonia.

A funeral mass will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, Mitre Road, Broomhill, at 10am on September 16.

Mr Gray is survived by his wife Mary, 83, and daughter.