LARGS Police has stepped in to provide extra cover after taxi marshals after they were axed by North Ayrshire Council for the second year running.

PC Dominic Murphy gave assurances at a recent community council meeting that police will be in place at the town's taxi rank throughout the busy festive periods.

Last year, police officers were also drafted in to look after revellers after council chiefs revealed no security firm wanted the taxi marshals contract.
Marshals previously assisted police in helping to clamp down on disorder.
Community councillor Margaret Woods, who sits on the police sub-committee, said the loss of the marshals is a blow to the town.
She asked if it was more cuts at North Ayrshire Council which was the cause behind the decision.
Cllr. Ian Murdoch replied: "I think it is going to be an ongoing thing - there is a general lack of finance."
Cllr. Alan Hill told the News: "Taxi marshals have served an important role over recent years. It has been a very successful initiative.
"They help get everybody home and safe in a taxi - I am disappointed to hear that we have lost them again for this festive season."
"However, police and the local authority say they are working together to provide a similar service."
Mrs Woods said she was concerned that police carrying out the job at a busy time of year would result in a loss of resource elsewhere in the town.
PC Murphy: "The response won't be manned by our own shift police officers, alternative police will be drafted so it won't affect police cover elsewhere in Largs.
"People won't be losing police officers as a result of the coverage we will be providing at the taxi rank."
The taxi marshal project was widely praised by users, even providing flip flops for female revellers to take a rest from their high heels.
In previous years, taxi marshals were put in place over five weekends in and around the festive season, as well as during the busy days such as Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and January 2.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "We are working in partnership with Police Scotland to ensure an effective taxi marshalling service is in place in Largs over the Christmas and New Year period.”