A LARGS car park has been labelled a health hazard after becoming a dumping ground for flytippers.

MSP James Greene said he was 'astonished' to discover items including flooring, a mattress and an old fridge, strewn across the Bath Street facility during a visit earlier this week.

Mr Green said he was fearful the rubbish could cause further problems for local residents and businesses by attracting rats and mice.

He told the News: "The road surface has deteriorated and is causing flooding, while there was also bin bags and other rubbish lying around.

"This is becoming a health and safety issue because of the likely presence of vermin."

The MSP said that he thought it was time for North Ayrshire Council to address the issue.

He said: “The car park is clearly in an unacceptable state. It is a total eyesore.

"The surface has not been maintained and it is being used as a dumping ground.

“The council needs to urgently act on the matter. It’s simply not good enough that our beautiful town is being used like this. Local residents deserve better.”

The car park is close to Mr Greene’s office on Fort Street, where he bases himself as a regional Conservative MSP for the west of Scotland.

A town councillor also today hit out at the mess - saying cleaning up the area must be made a top priority.

Councillor Tom Marshall said: “The council have indicated that they are willing to take action to clear up this car park, though we’re yet to see any progress being made.

“Removing the waste, fixing the road and cleaning the area up must be an absolute priority.

“Local residents won’t stand for their town centre becoming a dumping ground for waste.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said today they are not the owners of the car park, but would look to work with the owner to deal with its upkeep.

They said: “While this area remains in private ownership, the council will liaise with the current owners to require the removal of the deposited waste.

“It is unfortunate that this private land has fallen into such a poor condition and we will ask the owners to ensure the area is maintained to an acceptable standard.”

This is not the first-time concerns have been raised about the car park, with Largs Community Council debating if more needed to be done to clean up the private car park at a meeting in February.