The Three Towns Growers have paid tribute to their head gardener after his death last week.

In his retirement, Ian Howie single-handedly managed the community polytunnel at the group's Ardrossan allotments, producing hundreds of species of plants for sale to raise funds for the charity and community projects.

Ian worked his whole life in horticulture, initially as a potato breeder in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, helping to develop and improve many  of the potato varieties still used in Scotland today.

He later set up his own business as a horticulturist.

The Three Towns Growers said Ian's breadth of experience would be "impossible to replace".

He was not only an expert in potatoes and other vegetables but also grew alpines, cacti, flowers, and rare heritage varieties.

Born in Saltcoats, and latterly living in Ardrossan, he was well known to parishioners at St Peter's Chapel.

Even after Ian suffered a stroke, he remained very active and could be seen out cycling on his tricycle, swimming, walking and gardening.

A spokesperson for the Growers said: "Ian was an example to us all of how to get the most out of life in the face of adversity.

"On Saturday, June 10 from 10am, Three Towns Growers will hold a plant sale at its site in Elm Park, Ardrossan, to raise funds for the charity.

"Some of this money will be used to commission a plaque dedicating the community orchard in his name."

Our thoughts are with Ian's family.