Tributes have flooded in for a soldier shot dead during a training exercise at a Scots RAF base.

Lance corporal Joe Spencer, 24, from Hampshire, died during a live firing exercise at RAF Tain in Easter Ross on Tuesday.

Nobody else was injured in the incident, which involved about 20 members of the armed forces, and a major investigation has been launched to establish what happened.

Police Scotland is leading the inquiry into the shooting and has assigned 30 officers to the case.

LCpl Spencer joined the army in 2011 and completed a tour of Afghanistan, as well as serving in Kenya and the US.

Tributes have flooded in from his comrades who say he was a "massive pleasure" to serve with.

Lewy Reed posted a picture on Facebook of himself and LCpl Spencer with the message: "Absolutely gutted when I got a phone call and I heard that one of my closest mates in the army I served with has sadly passed away the other day on a live firing exercise.

"I will never forget the good times we had from being on tour in Afghanistan together to being absolutely mortal in the block spewing our ring up from your tequila.

"RIP mate words can't describe how Much of a good bloke this bloke was! Stand easy Spence lad."

Adrian Robinson wrote: "RIP Spence, it was a massive pleasure serving with you brother. Heaven has a fantastic rifleman see you at the re-org brother."

Defence minister Mark Lancaster said: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm that lance corporal Joe Spencer from 3rd Battalion The Rifles died at RAF Tain on Tuesday.

"My thoughts are with Joe's family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time.

"We are cooperating with the police investigation and looking into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident."

On Wednesday morning, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "This is a tragic incident and my deepest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the person who has died.

"It is another important reminder of the often difficult and dangerous job our armed forces do every day."

Theresa May expressed her sympathy with LCpl Spencer's family during Prime Minister's Questions this week.

Chief inspector Iain MacLelland said: "We are leading the investigation to find out exactly what has happened where the serviceman has sadly died.

"The incident is confined to the area and we're satisfied there was no risk to the public at any time. The persons who were involved in this were participating in the exercise."