Tributes have been paid to former Ulster Unionist Party MLA Samuel Gardiner who has died at the age of 82.
Mr Gardiner served as an MLA for the Upper Bann constituency from 2003 until his retirement in 2016.
He was elected to Lurgan Borough Council in 1963 and became Northern Ireland's youngest mayor in 1968.
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Mr Gardiner was later elected to Craigavon Borough Council and served as mayor three times, in 1982/3, 1988/9 and 2000/1. He was also elected to the Northern Ireland Forum in 1996.
At Stormont he served on several Assembly scrutiny committees including environment and health, and as the oldest MLA he held the role of Father of the House prior to his retirement in 2016.
The former High Sheriff for Co Armagh was also appointed as a justice of the peace.
UUP leader Doug Beattie said: "Sam was a very friendly and personable man who was held in high esteem by council and Stormont colleagues across all parties and by the electorate.
"He was a man of conviction, a man of passion and a man of dedicated service. The party will be the lesser for his passing.
"On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party I would like to send my deepest condolences to Sam's family and his many friends at this sad time."
Mr Gardiner was also a member of the Orange Order, deputy Sovereign Grand Master of the Royal Black Institution, a former chairman of Glenavon FC and was awarded an MBE.
DUP MP Carla Lockhart expressed her condolences to Mr Gardiner's family.
She said: "Sammy was a dedicated servant of the people, with decades in public office from council through to the corridors of Stormont.
"He had a great heart for the Lurgan area in particular, and I know many people in the local community will be deeply saddened to hear of his passing."
Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd said: "I worked with Sammy both in council and in the Assembly over many years and while we had a different view of the world I always found him to be very civil and personable.
"He worked hard on behalf of his constituents but his loss will be felt most by his family and friends to whom I offer my deepest sympathies at this sad time."
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