TRIBUTES have been paid to the Reverend Stephen Brown, who died suddenly this week.

Reverend Brown, 58, had been minister at Helensburgh's Untied Reformed Church for almost four years and was a well-known and respected member of the community.

Originally from Inverness, Reverend Stephen Leonard Brown moved to Helensburgh with his family from Fraserburgh, and is survived by his wife Jan, and two children, Sheena, 24, and Cameron, 27. He would have celebrated his 59th birthday later this month.

Jan, Sheena, and Cameron told the Advertiser: "He filled our life with love, laughter and music and will always be in our hearts."

Stephen Alexander, secretary of Helensburgh United Reformed Church, said: "We are very sorry to have to announce the sudden death of the much loved minister Stephen Brown on Monday, February 8.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jan, son Cameron, daughter Sheena and the wider family."

A private funeral for the family will be held at a later date, and there will also be a service of thanksgiving to allow a wider audience to celebrate his life, work, and music.