A Largs-based group could be set up to take over the running of such key local facilities as the Vikingar! centre.

Cash-strapped North Ayrshire Council recently undertook a review of "leisure, sport and recreational provision" across the area.

However, while one option under consideration could mean the council enters into a joint arrangement with other authorities to deliver services, another option is the formation of a new local development company to oversee the running of Largs facilities - with Millport as the model.

Elected North Coast Councillor Alan Hill - who has played a key role in the success of Cumbrae Community Development Company and the Garrison project - has already convened a meeting with the latter option in mind, in the hope that it could lead to residents having more of a say over the running of Largs facilities.

Locals have long complained over North Ayrshire Leisure's running of Vikingar! and local sports fields after North Ayrshire Council devolved it to the trust over the last decade.

However, speaking at a recent meeting of Largs Community Council held at the Brisbane Centre, Opportunities In Retirement chairman Robert Brown said: "Has Largs not learned the lesson of Vikingar? When you devolve it to a private trust, you have no control over it.

"Maybe it's a ploy to get rid of Vikingar?" Mr Hill commented: "Unless something happens locally, it will almost certainly be handed over. But potential would be there to manage the facilities locally rather than some North Ayrshire-wide organisation.

"It would be feasible to take halls like this and pass them into that trust." He added that it would allow such a trust to "take bookings locally" and "set the charges locally".

FULL STORY IN LARGS AND MILLPORT WEEKLY NEWS 21/4/10