A WELL-LOVED former South Ayrshire Provost has died.

Winifred Sloan, 70, died peacefully in the early hours of November 25 2015 at home where she was being cared for.

As a long standing member of the Conservative Party, popular Mrs Sloan held different political offices at local and national level, before being elected to the Kyle and Carrick District Council in 1992.

South Ayrshire Council was established in 1996 with Councillor Sloan representing the Ayr East Ward.

In 2006, Councillor Sloan was elected Provost by fellow councillors which was a role she carried out until May 2012.

Always active in the local community, she never forgot the motto of South Ayrshire, “Ne’er forget the People” when she was carrying out her duties.

During her term of office, Mrs Sloan was the council’s Veterans Champion and was heavily involved with the Armed Forces, being one of the founders of Veterans First Point Ayrshire.

Even after she retired from council, she continued to be very active in the community, was Vice Dean of Ayr Guildry and was actively involved with Headway Ayrshire.

She is survived by her husband, Drew Sloan a successful businessman in the area. The couple had three children, two sons, Geoff who is a doctor in Manchester and Richard, a scientist in London. She also had a daughter, Victoria who runs a successful business in Pitlochry.

She was also the proud granny to Eilidh.

Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Cllr Bill McIntosh said: “We are all saddened to hear of Winifred’s passing, and our thoughts are with her family at this time.

“Winifred was a tireless advocate for the people of her ward and also an outstanding ambassador for South Ayrshire. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered.”

Mrs Sloan's funeral is to take place next Wednesday December 2 in a private ceremony for family.

There is to be a Thanksgiving service at 3.45pm at St Leonard's Church on Monument Road in Ayr.