TRIBUTES are being paid to a leading Burns Club veteran Ian Wightman after he was tragically killed in a road accident in the early hours of Wednesday.

Mr Wightman, 71, from Prestonpans, was vice president of Airts Burns Club and a well known member of the community.

Tranent 25 Burns Club paid tribute to Mr Wightman on their Facebook page, sharing a video of him and other members of their club on an outing together.

Police are appealing for information after Mr Wightman's car was spotted by passing motorists in a field next to the southbound carriageway of the M9 at around 1.10am on Wednesday.

It is believed the car had struck a tree and an ambulance was called to the scene but sadly Mr Wightman was pronounced dead at the scene.

His son Neil revealed he had spoken to his dad just hours before the accident as he was returning from a fishing trip on Tiree.

Neil told friends on social medna: "He was returning from a fishing a trip on Tiree and spoke with me at 23:15 telling me it was a great trip and asking after his grandkids and checking we were all well, this is believed to have been his last contact with anyone and it was a happy father/son conversation.

"He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

"RIP Dad, my friend and my hero. My life is better because of you and a little emptier now I’ve lost you. Sleep well and Godspeed."

His niece Kerry Scott described Mr Wightman as a "true force of nature".