Memories of celebrating Hogmanay in the swinging sixties were recently recalled on the Largs and Millport News website.

The famous seafront building was a magnet for young people who were wanting to dance the night away to big band music, and former 'News' reporter Linda Olson recalls her very first visit to the famous seafront ballroom.

Linda said: "Hogmanay 1969...two wee 15-year-olds with a new dress each and a special hair-do from Dan Doris of Nelson Street - talk about stars in our eyes!

"That was me and my best pal Maureen Smith at The Moorings for our first New Year's ball - surely Las Vegas and the Barrowland rolled into one, so wonderful did it all seem to us that night!

"Oh, the magnificence of the ballroom... the marvellous music of Charlie Harkin and His Kit-Kat Band...the dancing lights and the frosty nip off the sea as we stood on the balcony and took a sip of her big sister's Bacardi and Coke to welcome 1970. Magical memories indeed for Auld Lang Syne."

And memories of the Moorings brought back other memories from readers too over the years, including Billie Walker of Skelmorlie who said: "You were not allowed to dance too close or the bouncer or the manager separated you! It is funny to think now!"

May Cooper remembered: "Charlie Harkins and his Kit Kat Band...three and a tanner Wednesday nights...seven bob on Saturdays! Magical times!"

Janet Ross said: "We used to go up to the ballroom in the lift which was operated by a man in a green uniform and wearing a hat. I remember you could go outside on the balcony to cool down as it was so hot and always packed with so many ...young folk - they came by the bus load from Greenock, Kilbirnie and Ardrossan/Saltcoats and the buses came later to take them all home.

"Romance often blossomed here when so many couples met for the first time and ended up getting married. Charlie Harkins and his Kit Kat band was superb. So many happy Saturday night memories - just dancing the night away."