LARGS and Millport were launched into the the national spotlight in 2002 as the BBC based two comedy sit-coms on the area.

Excitement was building as the pilot television episode of 'Millport' was filmed on the island, with plans for more filming during summer if the episode was a success.

Written and acted by Lynn Ferguson, who played Irene Bruce, the pilot told the story of her 33rd birthday and all that came with it - with Millport acting as the backdrop.

Meanwhile, a racy comedy 'Fran’s People', based in Largs, was being shown on BBC2.

Fran’s People was a comedy series from the same writing and production team as popular comedy Terri McIntyre.

In other news a local landowner believed Knock Castle presented an ideal opportunity to not only solve the positioning of the Largs sewage treatment works, but upgrade a well-known accident blackspot at the A78.

A planning application for the site in front of Knock Castle was still lodged at North Ayrshire Council, even though it was not one of the four options being considered in West of Scotland Water’s shortlist.

Meanwhile the owners of Fencebay Fisheries restaurant and Oyster Farm in Fairlie voiced concerns for the future of their successful business operations if the new sewage treatment plant was to go at Hunterston.

Mr Bernard Thain said it was vital they maintain the highest standard of hygiene, with the Food Standards Agency highlighting the increasing level of food poisoning outbreaks caused by E.coli, Salmonella and other bacteria and viruses.

Mr Thain was concerned that Fencebay was directly upwind of the proposed open site and it would be inevitable that airborne bacteria and viruses would contaminate their site.

The annual schools competition sponsored by Largs Cronies Burns Club proved to be very successful with Skelmorlie, Fairlie, Kelburn, Brisbane, St Mary’s and Largs Academy taking part with a mixture of music, poetry and singing, not only of Robert Burns material but Scottish works in general.

In sport, weather issues saw Largs Thistle hoping to play Troon at the fourth time of asking - and suggesting they could be set to unveil a new signing in their promotion bid to the new West of Scotland Superleague.