LARGS has been snubbed for a new Citizens' Advice Bureau - seven years after a failed campaign to keep the building in Boyd Street open.

The service is returning to North Ayrshire after the Citizens' Advice Service network revealed it is to open an office in Saltcoats one day a week.

The project has been made possible by new funding from the Scottish Government.

It will offer advice specifically on debt and money problems, by telephone, email and personal appointments.

The service will be delivered by staff from Renfrewshire Citizen's Advice Bureau.

The new project will be located in the Ayrshire Community Trust Offices at 27 Vernon Street on Wednesdays from today - but a Largs councillor says the needs of local people are being ignored.

Cllr Alex Gallagher says basing it in one place is impractical.

He added: "If people want to see someone face to face, they will need to travel.

"When we lost the Citizen's Advice Bureau in Boyd Street back in 2015, we had to take a lot of the service in house and our money advice matters team helped people instead.

"If this is only going to be open one day a week in one location, it isn't going to solve many problems."

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall welcomed the service's return to the district, adding: "It is an excellent service to have and I know that Largs one was greatly used. Getting one in Saltcoats it is a start and hopefully one day it will return to Largs."

Announcing the move, Renfrewshire CAB chief executive Martin Fotheringham said: “There’s no doubt that North Ayrshire has missed its Citizens' Advice Bureau.

"People will remember we used to have four offices.

"However due to a reduction in funding the service made the difficult decision to close down. That means local people have missed out on some of the expert CAB advice that is available all over the rest of Scotland.

"This has been a real loss, especially during these difficult times when many local families have been in financial crisis.

“There are some very good debt charities in the county but the scale of the demand for help means that the loss of the CAB has created a real gap in the amount of support that is available to people, just when they need it most.

“We’re really pleased to be back.

"If you are in debt or worried about money, come and talk to us."

The new North Ayrshire Citizens Advice debt service can be contacted by calling 0141 889 2121 or by emailing cabinnorthayrshire@gmail.com