The SNP pulled out one of its biggest hitters ahead of Thursday’s Glenrothes council by-election.
Former First Minister Alex Salmond joined candidate Julie Ford on the campaign trail in Kinglassie this morning.
He met local residents and activists, while announcing his full support for Ms Ford ahead of Thursday’s vote for the Glenrothes West and Kinglassie ward.
The ballot has been triggered by the resignation of the town’s new MP, Peter Grant, as a local councillor.
With the ward returning to the polls for the second time this year, Mr Salmond said there is no excuse for apathy.
“When you have a young livewire candidate like Julie who is putting their head above the parapet then people should come out and back them,” he said.
“There is nothing more important for an area than having a good local councillor. It is the bedrock of all politics.
“Having an energetic young councillor is a great thing and that’s why Julie will follow well in the footsteps of Peter Grant, who is doing fine work at Westminster.
“This ward needs an energetic councillor and in Julie it would certainly get one.”
Thursday’s vote will determine which party controls the town’s local area committee, Glenrothes’ main decision-making body.
The committee was finely poised before Mr Grant’s resignation, with five Labour and SNP councillors, and one independent.
The ballot is expected to be a two-horse race between the SNP’s Ms Ford and the Labour Party candidate Alan Seath, who is upbeat about his chances.
“The campaign has been going very well,” said Mr Seath.
“I’ve got a good feeling about things and I’ve been getting great support from the Labour Party, my family and friends.”
Buoyed further with support from former SNP councillor Bill Brown, who is an independent representative in the ward, Mr Seath added: “Bill is someone I’ve known for many years and it means a lot to have his support.”
Other candidates in next week’s ballot are Lorna Ross, for the Scottish Green Party, and Jonathan Gray, who has been selected to stand for the Scottish Conservatives.