Muriel Gray, chair of the Glasgow School of Art, has announced she is to step down from her role for a "temporary period."

Ms Gray is to take time away from the role as chair and governor for "personal family reasons", she said.

In a statement, Ms Gray says: "Given the challenges the School has faced over the past 12 months this was an incredibly difficult decision to take.

"The Glasgow School of Art is an amazing institution, full of remarkable, committed and creative people who continually give above and beyond, and I look forward to working with everyone again during the next academic year.

"Professor Nora Kearney, currently Vice-Chair, will take over as interim Chair in my absence."

READ MORE: The Mackintosh Building will be rebuilt, says GSA chair

Ms Gray's husband Hamish Barbour, managing director of IWC, was diagnosed with cancer in 2017.

He has recently taken part in a charity walk from the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow to Ben Nevis to raise money for the Beatson Cancer Charity.

Followers of Ms Gray's Twitter feed have been able to follow the progress of the walk, including reaching the summit of Ben Nevis at the beginning of June.

On his fund-raising page for the walk, Mr Barbour has written about cancer and why he had undertaken the journey.

He says: "When I arrived at The Beatson in late 2017 I’d just been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, stage 4.

"I didn’t even what that was; I’d recently run a marathon and, apart from a sore shoulder, felt pretty good. 

"I was quickly put on cutting-edge immunotherapy drugs. That’s when, with the massive support of The Beatson, I started my fight back against the disease. 

"I’ve had my ups and downs since then, but throughout it all the unique, world-class team of individuals at The Beatson have treated, cared for and supported me every step of the way."