Largs’ stunning natural assets are being wasted while the town itself is ‘embarrassing’ according to a community councillor.

Ian Murdoch said the efforts of Explore Largs - including national television advertising - were being undermined by a number of issues in the town, including littering, ‘run-down’ toilet facilities and dilapidated street furniture.

And he hit out at the failure to promote the likes of the viewpoint to visitors.

He said: “If the viewpoint was anywhere else in the world they would be shouting about it and making the most of it.” Community council chair Douglas Blair welcomed the installation of new benches at the viewpoint - which itself has been refurbished this year.

“I welcome the fact that there are new benches as the old ones have been there for years. It looks a lot better,” he said.

Mr Murdoch then pointed out that many visitors were unaware such a stunning view was there and said that anywhere else with such a vista would make the most of it and encourage visitors to come to the town to see it for themselves.

North Ayrshire Councillor Grace McLean lightly suggested that “maybe someone should re-open the Bonnie Blink tearoom at the Haylie Brae’.

Jim Perman also suggested that some action had to be taken to clear up the shore, including the ‘dilapidated’ area around the boat launches opposite the seafront car park.

North Ayrshire Council is currently undertaking early work to regenerate the town centre and shore.