Veteran Scottish Variety singer Sydney Devine has praised the volunteers who keep Barrfields Pavilion Theatre open.

In his successful comeback tour date at the Largs venue at the weekend he pointed out that it was not only a quarter of a century since he had toured Scotland but that it was 31 years since he last performed at Barrfields.

He told the audience of over 200 - some people from Inverclyde could not make it as the roads to Largs were closed - that the theatre was staffed by unpaid volunteers from local clubs.

"Isn't it great" he said, "that people give their time to make sure that this theatre still brings in shows."

He was referring to BUG, the Barrfields Theatre Users Group, which is made up of members of Largs amateur organisations such as the Youth Theatre, Operatic Society, Largs Players and new member, Largs Film Society. Councillor Alan Hill has just taken over as chairman of BUG after North Ayrshire Citizen of the Year Ryan Moir stepped down after five years.

Sydney, 78, gave an energetic and highly entertaining 80 minutes singing performance belting out favourites like Tiny Bubbles, Crystal Chandelier, Ten Guitars, Nobody's Child and dozens more hits from the 60s to 80s period when he sold millions of records around the world. He belied his age as he moved and even gyrated (yes) around the stage in front of his six-piece band, The Legends.

Such was the appreciation of the audience, who gave him a standing ovation and encores - with people travelling from England to see him - that Sydney said he would like to return to Largs next year.