IT is 40 years since 'The Iron Lady' Margaret Thatcher visited Largs.

The Conservative Prime Minister was given a brief tour of the local area, starting at West Kilbride Primary, where she was greeted by pupils and teachers.

She later headed to Nardini's Restaurant where she was met by director Aldo Nardini, Conservative MP David Corrie and local party officials.

It was Thatcher's second visit to Largs, having already been to the Hunterston Power Station in 1968.

She visited again in September 1983, with a visit to Nardini's Cafe and a walkabout on the esplanade, but that was curtailed by the 300 protestors who had to be kept within the grounds of St Columba's Parish Church.

She then headed for a buffet lunch reception for party workers at the Cunninghame North Conservative Association where former Largs Provost Dan Doris was pictured handing over a photograph of Lord Kelvin to the Prime Minister, with then-local Conservative MP John Corrie pictured in the background.