Tributes have flooded in for a "hugely committed" and "unique" Scots soldier who was shot dead during a firing exercise in Northumberland.

Conor McPherson, 24, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, died in the incident during a night firing drill with the Royal Regiment of Scotland at the Otterburn firing range at around 11.15pm on Monday.

He suffered a serious head wound and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Police officers are working with the MoD to establish the exact circumstances of the incident and a cordon is currently in place. The MoD confirmed Black Watch private McPherson's death in a statement on Wednesday.

He was described as a "capable" and "hugely committed" soldier by his commanding officer and online tributes flooded in from his friends and comrades.

Matt-James Mcallahan said: "Rest in peace to not only one of my closet and best friends but to a brother I was extremely close to.

"He was forever making my day with his crazy ideas and remarks waking me up with a boxing glove to the face in the morning and explaining your game that I was far too unintelligent to play.

"Going to feel weird not having you about and hearing you shouting at your screen you will always be remembered as the boy that padlocked his Helmet to his webbing and for always arguing your point especially about gods of Egypt

"Rest in peace brother and I'll see you soon enough like you said to me when I was down before. Think about it like this: life is like a game there is always a restart button"

Private McPherson enlisted into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in May 2014 as a combat infantryman and after completing his training at the infantry Training Centre Catterick he was posted to The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, based at Fort George, Inverness, in February 2015, which is the unit he was serving with when he died.

Fellow soldier Christopher Mckinnon added: "As a mark of respect to the young Scottish warrior training to do what he loved the best, I ask everyone to place the regiments badge and motto as their profile photo for at least 24 hours.

"Rest easy brother. Tragic news mate, don't worry the boys from training have some funny stories about you, you definitely were unique. Lest we forget pal."

Commanding officer, lieutenant colonel Alasdair Steele said: "Private 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, Private 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."