A SKIP which is teeming with rubbish must be removed before throngs of visitors descend upon Largs on Good Friday, a local businessman said today.

John Corrigan, who owns Deli Il Cardo, contacted the News to highlight the problem which he claims detracts from the new look £186,000 Gallowgate Square.

The skip is in a loading bay at the side of the square in Gallowgate Lane and has been lying there for weeks, becoming a magnet for seagulls and other vermin.

With sunshine and droves of holidaymakers expected this weekend, Mr Corrigan wants to see the skip removed before they arrival.

North Ayrshire Council are also now looking into the matter after being contacted by the News.

Mr Corrigan said: "Rubbish has been blowing all over the place on windy days.

"The skip has been there for at least two months, taking up a loading bay. It's like it has just been forgotten about.

"It is far from a great look for Gallowgate Square with a skip parked on a loading bay and seagulls all over it.

"I was under the impression skips need a permit, lights and to be covered at this location.

"The problem is anyone walking past is throwing in chip papers or pizza covers in and this is attracting the birds.

"It is supposed to be a loading bay but yet again nothing seems to happen in this town unless someone complains.

"Largs doesn't seem to have any control with parking, It is nonsense that a skip can just be left at a prominent town centre location during a peak holiday period."

As we went to press, a North Ayrshire Council spokesman said: "People need a permit to put in a skip at any given location if it is a layby or a road.

"The rules are that a skip can be in place for a period of up to four weeks.

"If a permit has not been acquired, a fixed penalty can be lodged and it would be removed.

"It could be legitimate but we are now checking up on this."