THE Wee County has been mourning an unprecedented number of deaths occurring on local roads in recent memory.

There have been four deaths in the past two months as a result of road traffic collisions in Clackmannanshire, Inspector Andrew Thomson from the Road Policing Unit in the Forth Valley told councillors last week.

Such a high number in a short space of time is particularly shocking as Clackmannanshire's roads have been the safest in the UK for more than a decade, the senior officer highlighted.

Between 2012 and 2016, there had been no fatalities at all on roads within the boundaries of the local authority.

The recent string of tragedies began on Wednesday, August 28, when Alva's David Innes was pronounced dead at the scene after his motorcycle left the A91 at around 3.40pm.

Tributes left in memory of the 35-year-old said "another good guy" was "taken too soon".

Then on Saturday, September 28, Graham Kerr's family and friends were left "devastated" when he died after being struck by a vehicle on the A91 between Menstrie and Alva at around 1.15pm.

The 33-year-old pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, despite efforts from the public and emergency services to save him.

Another tragic incident dominated the Advertiser's front page just a week later.

Tullibody man Alan McLean sadly was struck by a car as he crossed a road in his home town on Thursday, October 3, at around 8pm.

The 56-year-old was taken to hospital, but sadly passed away the next day. Roadside tributes were also left to the man outside the ScotMid store.

Just two weeks ago, on Tuesday October 22, Pauline Easton from Alloa sustained serious injuries in a crash at Mar Place, close to the Marshill Roundabout.

As reported in this week's Advertiser, the 51-year-old woman sadly passed away in hospital a week later.

"Each of these leave a trail of devastation for families", Inspector Thomson told the chamber at Kilncraigs.

He appeared off-the-agenda to speak about the unprecedented number of incidents to elected members at Clackmannanshire Council as local police chiefs tabled a report with statistics to the Partnership and Performance Committee.

The senior officer also expressed a view that each incident "could have been avoided".

Committee chair Councillor Helen Lewis said her thoughts went out to all the families affected.