AN incredibly rare edition of the first Largs newspaper has been discovered - hidden inside a family bible.

The Largs Advertiser was one of two papers which existed in the district in the mid 1870s - but very few copies still exist.

It is believed that the News' nickname, the 'Wee Paper', was coined during this period as it was smaller than the Advertiser to differentiate between the two.

The papers amalgamated, resulting in the Largs and Millport Weekly News being born in 1877.

Angus Dick, of Bowfield Road in West Kilbride, made the find while clearing through personal possessions after his wife Gillian sadly passed away.

Angus said: "I inherited a family bible from my mother's uncle in Kilbirnie and was flipping through it when the paper popped out.

"The leaflet happened to be a newspaper from 1875 called the Largs Advertiser.

"It is full of interesting articles and it is fascinating to note some of the advertisers, including Paton's butchers in Largs which still exists today." Costing one halfpenny, the edition no.114 on September 25 1875 means that the paper had been running for two years.

Businesses advertising on the front page include Crawford's, based in Lade Street, James Guill barber and hairdresser in Hyndman Green and James Clark and co Drapers of Main Street.

There was also a steamer timetable featured for sailings from Glasgow, Largs and Millport.

News from the edition included an inquiry into a fatal collision off the Cumbrae islands between a tug steamer and a 'flying squall' in which the latter was sunk and three lives were lost.

A proposal to build a new pier in Millport was also reported.

Sport included bowling reports, with John Dickie beating Andrew Rodger to scoop a money prize from grocer Robert Orr while the 4th Ayrshire Rifle volunteers also hosted a shooting competition.

The newspaper was published by Robert H Reid in Main Street.

Angus said: "It's been a fascinating find."