FORGET the Largs Hum...get ready to put in your ear plugs for night-time pile driving.

If contractors George Leslie get their way loud hammering will be heard throughout the night for at least three days as they drive in the piles at the new multi-million pound pier.

However, North Ayrshire environmental officers, concerned about our sleeping patterns, have told the company that they can only pile-drive between 8pm and 11pm when the ferries stop.

Unfortunately, instead of three nights of noise the short-term working will require the operation to take place over three weeks.

The Largs Forum of local citizens such as councillors, boat hirers and fishermen have been consulted by CMal to say a nightshift would be preferable but residents along the seafront and town centre have still to be asked.

The outspoken chairman of the community council, Ian Murdoch commented: 'Typical. Whatever we say in Largs the officials of North Ayshire do the opposite.' However, North Ayrshire councillor Alex Gallagher has told CMal that it would be sensible to ask the views of the people around the pier area.

Lorna Spencer of CMal - a company which owns the ports and the vessels which Cal Mac use - said that if the majority didn"t want night shift work they would spread it over a few weeks between 8pm and 11pm.

Whenever the hammering happens it will be heard all over the town. There is no avoiding it because the pier is scheduled to be completed in early July.

CMal have promised the paddle steamer Waverley that whatever the state of the pier it will be able to come in for its first sailings at the end of June.

Another unexpected hitch for the pier contractors is that the need for a more powerful electrical supply means that roadworks will have to be set up at the junction of Bath Street and Main Street to allow underground cabling to be excavated.

The biggest losers during the "dig" and traffic delays are likely to be the owners of Sugar"n"Spice whose ice cream parlour and confectionery corner shop may be cut off from civilisation for a few weeks.

Incidentally, as Largs Pier was listed as being of architectural interest part of the original masonry has been preserved and photographs of the old harbour have been sent to Historic Scotland archives.