Scotland's youngest councillor has announced his plans to stand down so he can go travelling.
Aberdeen City councillor John West, former depute provost, will not stand at the council elections later this year.
The Hazlehead, Ashley & Queens Cross representative was only 18 when he was elected in May 2007.
He said: "I've decided to do something different for a while, to go and do a bit of travelling.
"It has been an extremely interesting and an exciting time in many ways.
"Aberdeen City Council has had its troubles but frankly I think we have turned the council around.
"Back in 2008 the financial situation was appalling. We had to make a number of quite difficult decisions but the longer term decisions taken are now beginning to pay off.
"It's quite exciting to have played a part in that.
"It's been a real honour to represent the people of Hazlehead, Ashley, Queens Cross and Aberdeen generally."
Mr West, who is now 23, has no concrete plans for where he will go or how long for, but says he hopes to reach Australia in his travels.
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