A veteran DUP councillor has said he has just months to live after doctors told him his cancer diagnosis is untreatable.
John Finlay, who sits on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, said he hopes to continue fulfilling his elected duties for as long as possible.
The Ballymoney councillor said his Christian beliefs would help him through the challenging time ahead.
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He wrote on Facebook: "As some of you will know, I haven't been too well over recent months and therefore unable to serve my constituents in the way I would have wished.
"Today, I learned from consultants that my cancer is untreatable and I have only two to three months left.
"This is not the news I wanted to hear, but I want to continue to serve the people as best I can for as long as I can. So if you have any issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me."
He added: "Although my future is now going to be much shorter than I had hoped, my faith is in Jesus Christ and him alone for salvation."
His post on the social media site on Tuesday night has received hundreds of messages of support.
Responding on Facebook, DUP North Antrim MP Ian Paisley said: "John, you are an example and an inspiration and a true friend."
Mr Finlay has been a strong supporter of Mr Paisley. In 2019 he expressed his full confidence in the MP following a controversy surrounding luxury family holidays, telling critics to "put up or shut up".
Belfast UUP councillor Jim Rodgers wrote: "John so sorry to hear this terrible news. Will continue to pray for you and also your family."
Mr Finlay has been a DUP councillor for many years and is considered firmly among the party's Christian traditionalist wing.
In 2019, he hit out at the party's decision to select an openly gay candidate, Alison Bennington, to run for election to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
He said DUP founder Rev Ian Paisley would have strongly opposed the move.
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