The local SNP branch this week selected Grace McLean as its candidate for the forthcoming by-election to the North Coast and Cumbraes Ward.

The election follows the death of Grace’s husband, Alex, who had represented the Largs and District seat and on North Ayrshire Council.

Grace is Largs born and bred. Her father ran a business in School Street and she attended Largs Primary and Largs High School. Grace then went on to work at IBM, Inverclyde Sports Centre and was an Advertising Executive with the Largs & Millport News former owners, the Guthrie Group. Latterly, Grace spent 16 years as Home Care Manager with South Ayrshire Council.

The SNP say that Grace is very well known in Largs and has been active in many groups. She is currently Chair of Haylie House Trustees where she is actively involved in fundraising and many other activities.

Grace commented: “I believe my experience equips me to be an effective and competent advocate and councillor for the people of this area. I am pleased to be nominated by the SNP locally and am proud to carry on the work started by my husband, Alex.” Local Councillor Alan Hill added: “This is a by-election that no one wanted to see, following as it does the death of my friend and colleague, Alex Mclean.

“Alex was a great advocate for his home town and pushed strongly for the new Largs Academy. He even attended his last council meeting from Ayr Hospice just in case there might be a vote on the subject of the Largs project.

“Probably closest to his heart, however, was the South Prom restoration, a project that he was instrumental in delivering. He could often be seen walking his dogs along there whilst, at the same time, keeping a close eye on the staff working on the ground. If he saw something that he didn’t like then he was straight on the phone to get it sorted. The North Prom was going to be his next pet project and I am pleased to say, that the council has now committed some funds to start looking at.

“I am absolutely delighted that Grace has agreed to continue with the hard work that Alex had been doing and I have no doubt whatsoever that she will make an excellent councillor for this area and I am looking forward to campaigning in order to get her elected.”