FED-UP town centre residents have launched a petition in a bid to have double and single yellow lines removed from their streets.

Andy Adair, a roads committee chair of Largs Community Council, has put together a petition calling for the markings in Bath Street and Fort Street to be taken away.

The protest is receiving support from businesses and locals.

North Ayrshire Council recently decided to enforce historic double and single yellow lines in the area but residents say it has caused chaos.

Residents can no longer park outside their homes, while businesses are also missing out.

A Largs hairdressing salon owner told the News that people visiting town are growing frustrated with the lack of parking spaces and simply turning back and leaving.

Community councillor Mr Adair said: "It has become increasingly more difficult for residents to park outside or near their homes

"The recent action taken by North Ayrshire Council of the reinstatement of parking restrictions has resulted in a knock-on effect and increased the difficulties with parking and surrounding streets.

"I am raising this petition on behalf of all residents affected in the town centre, asking for the removal of these parking restrictions and the implementation of a residents' permit parking scheme

"A residents' parking scheme would also benefit local businesses and their customers, as it will end the situation where visitors coming to the town leave their cars parked on the streets then go off to Millport or Glasgow for days on end, or even weeks, and take up valuable spaces for residents and other visitors.

"We do not want the streets to be residents-only but we wish to be able to park without time limit to enable easy access to our homes and allow visitors to park for the designated times where applicable."

Grace Bowman, who runs Boutique Hair Spa, told the News that traders are being hit by the council's decision to enforce the lines.

She said: "My friend from Kilmarnock was coming up, couldn't get parked, and just decided to go home.

"It affects local businesses.

"I can't believe the council have taken away more car parking spaces.

"We need to make it easier for people to park, not take away spaces."

"Somebody suggested making it one way along Bath Street, and create another 60 car parking spaces.

"I think that would be a brilliant idea."

Councillors Tom Marshall and Ian Murdoch have criticised the move to enforce the yellow lines and appealed to North Ayrshire Council to look for alternative measures.

Cllr Alex Gallagher of the ruling Labour administration said: "I have received a couple of complaints about it, and I have sympathy for the residents.

"The suggestion has been made about the residents having a parking permit and that might be possible.

"At present we don't have a policy on that, but it could be a long-term solution."