THE new £52m Largs Campus is set to be opened up to community groups later this month.

The state of the art facilities, which have been heralded as among the best in the UK, were officially opened last month for primary schools, with Largs Academy also joining the campus after the Easter holidays.

Now the public will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the top class asset outwith school hours.

People will be able to use a wide range of facilities, including a modern gym, sports pitch and hall for events, with bookings opening soon.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Largs Campus has been designed to incorporate community use outwith school hours.

"There are a number of facilities within the buildings on the campus which will be available to community groups for let, via KA Leisure.

"These include meeting rooms, sports halls, a fitness suite, a synthetic pitch, performance spaces and assembly hall.

“KA Leisure will commence operations at the campus from 28 April and it is envisaged that the regular hours of community use will be from 6pm-9pm on week nights and during daytime hours on Saturdays and Sundays.”

A recent North Coast Locality meeting of North Ayrshire Council looked at use of the facilities, charges applicable, security arrangements and the suitability of the community investment fund to support transportation for users.

When the campus opened, the council's executive director for education and youth employment John Butcher described the facilities as the 'best in Scotland'.

He said: "We will have the best sport facilities in Scotland, and potentially the UK.

“I am so proud of this facility."