A Labour councillor has quit less than six months after being elected.
Sandy Whitelaw, pictured below, had represented the Mid Galloway and Wigtown West ward since the local council elections in May.
But Mr Whitelaw, who had been elected for the first time, has now stood down, which will lead to a by-election.
The leader of the council’s Labour group Linda Dorward, said: “While I am disappointed that Sandy has stepped down, I am fully supportive of him and fully understand his personal reasons for doing so.
“The Labour group and I send him our very best wishes and thank him for representing Mid Galloway and Wigtown West over the past few months.
“I know this is a decision he has not taken lightly, but after much conversation we know it is for the best.
“We now look forward, and Labour will be standing a candidate in the forthcoming by-election.”
Five candidates stood for the Mid Galloway and Wigtown ward in May, with Tories David Inglis and Jackie McCamon and the SNP’s Katie Hagmann elected along with Mr Whitelaw, who saw off competition from Green candidate Kenny Campbell.
