A Largs resident is hoping to contribute to an investigation on empty homes which has been launched by the Scottish Government.

The extent of empty homes and how these can be brought back into use is to be investigated by Holyrood’s Local Government and Communities Committee.

Largs man John McCracken, who has complained to Largs Community Council, and North Ayrshire Council, about a neighbouring property in Gallowgate Lane with no roof which has been left to 'rack and ruin', has told the 'News' he is going to contact MSP Kenneth Gibson and contribute to the investigation.

National Records of Scotland data from 2017 has shown that 4% of the dwellings in Scotland are unoccupied and the Committee’s inquiry will investigate why.

The new inquiry will examine the scale of the issue, the effectiveness of current legislation and what more can be done to prevent properties remaining empty.

Convener James Dornan MSP, said: “There are a number of reasons why a property can be empty, but empty homes can have a huge impact on communities and reduce available housing supply at a time when housing is in great demand."

The committee is calling for evidence on its webpage: Parliament.scot/empty-homes-inquiry

The call for written views will close on 17 May 2019.