Largs landscapers have uncovered what they believe could be a 300-year-old well in a resident’s garden.

Greencare landscapes were carrying out a monoblock job at a home in John Clark Street when they discovered a hole that was over 20 foot deep.

There had been an old wall built over the well hiding it from plain sight for what could be hundreds of years, and was only found when the landscaper was excavating the area.

It was Alistair McCormack who was working on the paving job when he made the shocking discovery.

He said: “The homeowner had no idea that the well was there, so it came as a surprise to me when it was found.

“It was interesting when we discovered the hole, then on closer inspection realised it was indeed a well over 20-foot-deep and filled with water.

“The age of it has been reckoned by some local folk who said that after a Cholera epidemic new wells were built in the town.

“I have also been informed of a similar one hidden in Wilson Street and one uncovered years ago in Nelson street.

“I took pictures but then I put a cover over it to continue with the job and for obvious safety reasons.”

There were two incidences of a cholera outbreak in Largs believed to be between 1832 and 1849.

The rapid spread of the disease was due to unsanitary conditions and water resulting in the government passing legislation to improve the conditions.

North Ayrshire set up at local sanitary committee to regulate sanitation, in part covering up drinking wells believed to be spreading the disease and opening new ones.

The discovery in John Clark street is believed by locals to be one of these wells.