TRIBUTES POURED in yesterday to popular Perth man Ian Manson, who died this week following a short illness. He was 48.

Mr Manson served with Perth and Kinross council for 11 years from 1991 to 2002, during which time he was director of housing and social work and the general manager of Care Together.

He left the council to take up his post as director of social work with the Board of Responsibility for the Church of Scotland, in which capacity he served until his death.

His service with the church also included his role as session clerk with the North Church in Perth and as a member of the church choir.

His love of the stage also led him to be a top performer with Perth City Operatic Group and he appeared in their recent production of Iolanthe.

He is survived by his wife Jan and grown-up daughters Jennie and Julie.

Leader of the council, Councillor Jimmy Doig commented, “It was with great sadness that I learnt of the sudden death of Ian Manson yesterday.

“Ian was a dedicated employee of this council and I know that many former colleagues of his and councillors who worked with him, will be deeply saddened by his death.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Jan and his daughters Jennie and Julie.”

Chief executive, Bernadette Malone added, “Ian was a popular colleague and never stopped championing the many worthy issues that he worked on. He will be very much missed, especially by those of us who still knew Ian and considered him a friend. He will always be remembered with great affection.”

Ian Maguire, Mr Manson’s deputy at Charis House, the Church of Scotland’s social work headquarters in Edinburgh, said the untimely death is a “significant loss” not only to social work but the wider church.

Mr Maguire said his boss had relished being able to bring together his professional social work skills with his deep commitment as a Christian in the role of director of social work.

He said, “He was instrumental in moving forward the strategy of the organisation for the 21st century. We provide care to a wide range of service users from elderly people to people with addictions, learning disabilities, mental health problems.

“Within our organisation and within the church Ian was held in the highest esteem. I have spent the last 24 hours receiving innumerable calls from people absolutely shocked at his premature death.

“His death was unexpected, untimely, premature and for the organisation it will be a most significant loss. Within the church generally it will be a significant loss in terms of the drive, enthusiasm and personality of the man.”

Perth councillor, Alexander Stewart, who was a friend and colleague in the operatic group said, “I am devastated by Ian’s death and my thoughts are with his wife and family.”