TRIBUTES have been paid to a young soldier shot dead during training at Otterburn this week.

Pte Conor McPherson died while taking part in a night live firing exercise at 11.15pm on Monday, after suffering a serious head wound.

The 24-year-old, from the Paisley area of Glasgow, was serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Police and Health and Safety Executive officials are jointly investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, which is not being treated as suspicious.

The inquiry has the full support of the Ministry of Defence and the army.

Pte McPherson’s commanding officer, Lt Col Alasdair Steele said: “Pte McPherson was a capable young soldier who had previously trained in both Kenya and France.

“He was hugely committed about his career in the army. He had aspirations to join the machine gun platoon and attend a junior leadership course at the start of next year.

“He constantly drove to develop himself physically and was well liked among his peers for his sharp wit and sense of humour.

“However, Pte McPherson’s true passion was to his parents and his older sister. He was part of a very close-knit family, and his great joy was spending time with them at the weekends and over leave.

“The entire battalion’s thoughts are very much with his family and friends.”

Pte McPherson enlisted into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in May 2014 as a combat infantryman.

After completing his training at the infantry training centre at Catterick, he was posted to the Black Watch 3rd Battalion, at Fort George, Inverness, in February last year.

Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning said: “The safety of our personnel is our absolute priority and while deaths in training don’t happen often, any death is a tragedy.

“As well as a police investigation, Ministry of Defence accident investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

“My thoughts are with the soldier’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time.”