TRIBUTES have been paid to a former councillor who has died at the age of 84.

Former North Lanarkshire Councillor John Moran died on Wednesday April 8 after a short illness.

Representing the former ward of Stewarton, he was first elected to serve Motherwell District Council in 1980.

He then moved to North Lanarkshire Council following local government reorganisation in 1996.

The respected councillor then retired from local politics in May 2007.

During his political career, which spanned 27 years, he served on many committees including as Vice-Convener of the Policy and Resources Property sub-committee and he was a member of the Licensing Board and the Association of Public Service Excellence.

Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council Gavin Whitefield praised Mr Moran for his contributions to local people.

He said: "John was a popular and hard working councillor who gave so much of his time to helping people in his own ward and beyond and I enjoyed working alongside him.

"The esteem he was held in by the people of Wishaw was highlighted when a local housing development Moran Court in East Mains Academy Street was named in his honour in 2010.

"He will be sadly missed by those who worked beside him and the thoughts of all at North Lanarkshire Council are very much with his family and friends at this sad time."