LGBT campaigners and activists have been honoured at a special civic reception by the Provost of the Kingdom of Fife, Councillor Jim Leishman.

Lochgelly man Councillor Leishman presented special framed certificates at the Dunfermline City Chambers in an event organised by the local charity, Pink Saltire, set up by Cowdenbeath man Stuart Duffy.

There was support for the work to enhance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Fife from across the political divide, with the SNP’s Douglas Chapman MP and Labour’s Alex Rowley MSP both in attendance at the reception.

A number of local Fife councillors as well as representatives of LGBT organisations, together with friends and family, looked on as the certificates were presented.

The Fife Rainbow Awards were decided in November following a public vote at an event which also raised over £2300 for good causes.

The full list of Fife Rainbow Awards winners are: Outstanding Achievement Award - NICK SHANE (singer & gay rights activist); Campaigner of the Year - PAT GREENHOUGH (Fife Centre for Equalities); LGBT Volunteer of the Year - CHRIS MULRANEY (Flavours of Fife Youth Group, Kirkcaldy)

LGBT Ally Award - FRASER DONNELLY, PT Guidance at Dunfermline High School; Employer of the Year (Small) - CRAIG BOYD HAIRDRESSING, Leven; Employer of the Year (Med & Large) - POLICE SCOTLAND (Fife Division); Inspiring Young Campaigner of the Year - CHLOE DONALD, Leven (YouTube star and activist); and Health Promotion Award - SEXUAL HEALTH FIFE (NHS FIFE)

The event was supported through the Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s ‘Celebrate’ funding programme as well as a grant from Fife Council’s staff charity ‘Fife Charities Trust’.

Charity Founder, Stuart Duffy, said: “We’re very proud to recognise some of the amazing work being done in Fife to improve life for LGBT people here.

"We need LGBT voices to continue to be heard so we can reduce the stigma and discrimination which still exists, so making an example of these fantastic role models is really important. We’re very grateful to the Provost and his team, together with other elected representatives from around the Kingdom, for their ongoing support for LGBT equality.”