THEY were described by locals as Las Vegas and the Glasgow Barrowlands rolled into one.

The much-missed ballroom dancefloors of Largs offered a world of wonder to starry eyed teenagers during the swinging sixties and provoke a treasure trove of memories.

Celebrating Hogmanay at the Moorings Ballroom was recently recalled by a former News journalist.

The famous seafront building was a magnet for young people wanting to dance the night away to big band music - and reporter Linda Olson recalls her very first visit to the famous seafront ballroom.

Linda Olson said: "It was Hogmanay 1969, and I was 15-years-old with a new dress and a special hair-do from Dan Doris of Nelson Street.

"I went with my best pal Maureen Smith to The Moorings for our first New Year's ball and I remember the magnificence of the ballroom, the marvellous music of Charlie Harkin and His Kit-Kat Band and the dancing lights and the frosty nip off the sea as we stood on the balcony and took a sip of her big sister's Bacardi and Coke to welcome in 1970.

"These places created magical memories."

The Marine and Curlinghall Hotel, which was demolished in the early 1980s, were also a mecca for visitors and holiday-goers throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s with their ever-popular dinner dances catering for 600 people. With a sprung dancefloor and cocktail bar, it was a much loved part of the Largs tourism and hospitality scene.