PAISLEY sculptor Alexander Stoddart has become the first person in more than half a century to receive the Freedom of Renfrewshire.
He was presented with the award by Provost Celia Lawson in a special ceremony at Paisley town hall on Sunday.
Dad of three Sandy (50) has lived and worked in Paisley all his life.
Since 1983 he has been creating architectural sculptures and publ
ic monuments displayed across the world, including the David Hume statue on Edinburgh's Royal Mile and duplicates of John Witherspoon in Paisley and New Jersey.
Sandy also contributed statuary to the Millennium Gateway in Atlanta, Georgia, and in 2001 was awarded the Classical America award in New York. And last year Sandy became a member of the Royal Household in Scotland, as the Queen's Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland.
He insisted that "words can hardly encompass my feelings" about the Freedom of Renfrewshire.
He said: "This is an exceptional honour for me and I shall be privileged to discharge its implicit duties to the benefit of this place and these lands for so far as I am able".
He added: "The broad territory of Renfrewshire, famous both in antiquity and modernity as a seat of valour, and in particular the great town of Paisley at its heart have been of the greatest importance in my career as a monumentalist.
"Apart from this, here is my (itals) home, for which I maintain an inordinate enthusiasm and undying love".
Provost Lawson said: "The fact that the award of the Freedom of Renfrewshire has not been given in such a long time only highlights Sandy's extraordinary career.
"It is right that we should celebrate his achievements and it is my hope that in doing so we are inspiring others.
"This is a symbol of recognition and appreciation for Sandy's outstanding achievements in the world of the arts".
Sandy lives in Paisley with his wife and daughters. He is Honorary Professor in the department of arts and media at the University of the West of Scotland, where he works from his studio on the Paisley campus.
