The community is in mourning after much loved and respected West Kilbride vet Charlie Garratt died suddenly on Tuesday morning.

Mr Garratt, who operated a veterinary surgery in Main Street, was also highly involved in community initiatives as chairman of the West Kilbride Environmental Group.

The local vet helped in setting up a community eco-garden within Kirktonhall Glen for the benefit of wildlife and the community in general, which even featured on the BBC"s Beechgrove Garden. His wildlife endeavours were not just confined to the west coast of Scotland though as the environmentalist worked for many years on setting up an eco-cabin in Uganda to help endangered gorillas.

The structure had been designed to be environmentally friendly with an independent power supply through solar panels and a wind turbine. It was all designed to have a unique air conditioning system that would be inexpensive to install and cheap to run.

Mr Garratt, who had another practice in Kilwinning, was responsible for the continuing 'green regeneration' of West Kilbride including the recent purchase of fields in Kirktonhall Glen for environmental gardens.

Charlie"s work was recognised in October 2003 when he was invited to meet the Prime Minister at an environmental lunch. He was also responsible for setting up the Village Voice magazine which was distributed in the local community.

Councillor Liz McLardy of West Kilbride said: "He was a pillar in the community - it is going to leave one heck of a void. He was involved in so many different things. He always worked so hard and was always so enthusiastic. He even left a voice message on my telephone answer machine about his latest project in the environmental group. Charlie will be sadly missed by all of us." Largs Oaks Head Vet Melissa Donald said: 'Charlie was very highly thought of by everyone and my heart goes out to his wife and his family at this sad time.'