Tributes have been paid to a former East Douglas MHK who has died at the age of 84.

David Martin, who served his constituency from 1981 to 1986, died peacefully in Noble’s Hospital on Sunday.

A moment of silence was paid to Mr Martin during the sitting of the House of Keys on Tuesday.

During his time as an MHK, he was the chairman of the Water and Gas Authority and vice-chairman of the tourist board.

He served in the Royal Air Force before joining Ayreshire constabulary. He transferred to the island force in 1960.

He entered politics in 1974 after being elected as a Douglas councillor and served as deputy mayor in 1978 and 1980. Mr Martin attended Peel Clothworkers’ School and Douglas High School and was a ’keen footballer’ for Peel and St George’s, speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson said.

The ’dearly loved husband’ and ’much loved father’ leaves behind his wife Lorna, children Ralph and Peter, daughter-in-law Tracey, grandchildren Sam, Kyle and Craig and brother Brian.

Funeral arrangements are to follow.