A LOCAL councillor has told those with a holiday home on Cumbrae to 'stay away' as concern grows among locals that the island could be overwhelmed.

Cllr Tom Marshall and the Millport Support Group have been vocal about the issue as CalMac introduces an essential lifeline service for islanders and those on business only.

The latest instruction from the UK Government is that people should stay in their homes and not travel to a second or holiday home.

The order comes as politicians look to halt the spread of the coronavirus further, especially in small island communities.

Cllr Marshall said: “The Scottish Government’s instruction is that people are to stay at home and they would be better staying at their home on the mainland, rather than potentially introducing the virus to the island as the medical services cannot cope.

“Cumbrae has one of the highest percentages of elderly people and they are vulnerable to this situation.

“There is no point in increasing the risk to these people by bringing in people from the mainland just because they’ve got a holiday or second home on the island.

“It’s essentially the same for all the islands, so they should just stay away.

Jackie Wilson, from the newly-formed Millport Support Group, said: “We don’t want to put any more pressure on the NHS staff on the island and we have a high number of over 70s in the local community that we want to protect as well as our other residents and people with underlying health conditions.

“CalMac have just announced reduced sailings so that should be a great help.

“Millport is at its best when those who are able to work together for the good of the community to stay home and stay safe."