LARGS has welcomed its first ever female police inspector to the town.

Alison Wilson, 43, told the News she is determined to make Largs 'as safe a place as it can be' as she steps into the role.

The Ayrshire mum-of-two has been heavily involved in planning major events in the region over many years and said she was delighted to come on board at the busiest time in the local events' calender.

Among the operations Alison has been heavily involved with was co-ordinating US President Donald Trump's visit to Turnberry last year, as well as The Open in Troon and the Scottish Air Show in Prestwick.

She told the News: "I have 20 years police experience and have covered east, north and South Ayrshire during that time.

"The majority of the start of my career has been spent in North Ayrshire so this is a very familiar beat for me. This role very much feels like returning to my roots.

"Although I wasn't working on the Viking Festival and Country Music Festival this time round - it is being covered by my predecessor Colin Convery - I will be keeping a close eye on matters.

"I am very familiar with a lot of the local events including the Kelburn Country Centre music festivals too, so I know what is necessary for the area and the necessary deployment of officers."

Married to David, Alison has two children, aged 11 and 14, with her daughter competing locally and nationally in cheerleading and her son a keen footballer.

She admitted: "If I am not attending cheerleading events around Scotland, I am at the side of a football pitch cheering on my son. They keep me busy!".

Speaking about her role in President Trump visit, Alison said: "It was quite intense and I was involved more dealing with the local impact for South Ayrshire and co-ordinating with the national police team.

"I was involved in the transmission of the route and coping with the huge volumes of people. Bizarrely through I didn't actually see Donald Trump at any point as I was too busy in the background - although he did pass my house in his limousine."

Alison says she is looking forward to her North Ayrshire remit, which includes Largs, Millport, Fairlie, West Kilbride, the Three Towns and Arran.

She added: "Although working in seaside resorts in Largs and Millport may be seen as smaller scale compared to big towns and cities, we adopt the same response and our main aim is to keep people safe.

"My main aim is to ensure that Largs, Millport and surrounding areas are the safest places they can be to live in and to visit.

"I have the power to utilise both local and national resources to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible and I will be working hard in my new role."