A long-serving Mearns councillor has announced he is standing down before this year’s elections.
Peter Bellarby, the Liberal Democrat member for Aberdeenshire Council’s Stonehaven and District ward, will retire from his role in May.
Stonehaven resident Sarah Dickinson has been named as the party’s new candidate for the ward.
A former Aberdeen University senior lecturer, Mr Bellarby was elected to the council in 2007.
The 79-year-old said he hoped to make the most of his retirement and spend time enjoying Scotland’s mountains.
He added: “I am getting to the stage in life where it is a good idea for other people to take over.
“Sarah will make an excellent councillor who will be a strong voice for Stonehaven and Lower Deeside.”
Mrs Dickinson has lived in Stonehaven for more than 20 years, and was a member of the town’s community council from 2004 to 2009.
During her time on the body she took part in a major consultation exercise, the Future of Stonehaven Report, meeting more than 50 local groups to discuss priorities and concerns in the community.
She also founded the town’s Adopt-a-Street anti-litter scheme and worked to improve local sports and leisure facilities.
She was employed as a development worker for the Aberdeen Civic Forum from 2008-09.
In December 2009, Mrs Dickinson’s eldest son, Sam, was seriously injured in a car crash – leaving him with high-level paralysis, and she prioritised helping him through his rehabilitation until he finished his university degree last year.