Liberal Democrat MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Sir Robert Smith, has been diagnosed with the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

Sir Robert who is receiving appropriate treatment for the disease said:

"I would like to thank the medical staff at ARI for the help I am receiving. My colleagues at Westminster and locally are being very supportive, as is my family. This was not easy news to receive but it is a condition that can be managed and I plan to make the best I can of it."

The constituency 2015 campaign committee chairman, Mike Rumbles, said:

"I am saddened to hear that Sir Robert has this progressive illness but am delighted that he intends to keep working as our local MP and is committed to re-standing in 2015."

Parkinson's disease affects one in 500 people in the UK. It can cause a tremor, muscle rigidity and slowness of movement. It is incurable but treatable with a number of drugs.

Sir Robert, 55, has represented the constituency since 1997, and has been re-selected to contest the West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine seat for the Liberal Democrats at the next election.