Mark McDonald has been confirmed as the SNP candidate for the constituency seat of Aberdeen Donside, where he will seek to succeed his "friend and mentor" Brian Adam at a by-election on June 20.

Mr McDonald is to resign as a North East regional list MSP and will be replaced by Frenchman Christian Allard, a seafood exporter and part-time SNP party worker.

Mr McDonald said he owed a huge amount to Mr Adam, who was 64 when he died last month following a long battle with cancer.

"I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to continue his legacy," added Mr McDonald.