Tributes have been paid to former MLC Tony Wild, who has died at the age of 61.

Mr Wild served on the Legislative Council from 2011 to 2017 when he retired on the grounds of ill health.

Tynwald president Steve Rodan said: ’We are very saddened by the news of Tony Wild’s sudden passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.

’He served in Tynwald from 2011 to 2017, bringing valuable knowledge and experience after a lifetime in the Isle of Man banking sector.

’He served as a most diligent member of the Department of Education and Children, Economic Development, and Health and Social Care - and made a contribution to the parliamentary committees on which he served which was widely appreciated.

’His contributions to debate in Tynwald were invariably well-timed and well-judged, very much to the point and therefore effective.

’Tony also made a valuable contribution to the local community with his work for Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust, and the Great Laxey Mines Railway in particular. He will be greatly missed.’

Speaker Juan Watterson paid tribute to a friend and colleague.

He said: ’Tony was a real gentleman and a valuable addition to Tynwald. He had a quiet manner but a sharp mind which could get to the nub of a problem.’

Tim Crookall MLC described Mr Wild, who passed away on Wednesday evening, as a ’very nice man’.

He posted: ’He will be very much missed by his family and friends and my thoughts are with them at this sad time.’

Before entering politics, Mr Wild had a 33-year career in banking.

He began as junior cashier at the age of 19 in the Lloyds Bank in Ramsey and from there rose to become island director of Lloyds TSB Offshore Limited.

He left Lloyds in March 2010 and was appointed interim manager for Standard Bank Isle of Man Limited.

Mr Wild was elected to LegCo in 2011 on his second attempt, having been nominated by then Douglas North MHK John Houghton who described him as a ’man of integrity who has the skill set to hit the ground running’.

He was re-elected to the upper chamber in 2013.

He had previously worked with the government through the Isle of Man Bankers’ Association (president 2006-8), as a committee member of the Institute of Financial Services and through numerous working parties and consultancy groups.