West Kilbride was UFO capital of Scotland for sightings

Witnesses spoke to the “News” about their astonishment at the surreal sightings which occurred on Sunday, August 2 between 10-10.30pm in a case which could have come out of “The X Files”.

One elderly couple in Fullarton Drive, West Kilbride, gathered in their loft and were amazed to see the lights form into the shape of a circle before vanishing without trace, and contacted the police regarding the situation.

Another eye-witness Marion Neill, 40, admitted that she was gobsmacked at the unidentified flying objects. She said: “It was weird. I was in the Main Street just outside the Key Store at bang on 10pm and my friend’s son, Jack, was also in the area, with his friend. They couldn’t believe it either."

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A local councillor believes that Largs 'deserves' immediate action from North Ayrshire Council to protect the seafront from insensitive proposals.

Alex Gallagher spoke at a meeting of North Ayrshire Council in Irvine where he demanded more protection for the town’s “principal attraction”.

Alex Gallagher (Image: Newsquest)

Earlier that year, Mr Gallagher had stated that controversy over the future of Moorburn House had made it clear to him that the seafront - which he referred to as the “jewel in the crown” - was “vulnerable to attempts at insensitive planning”.

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Cumbrae was the only island in Scotland set to benefit from a national cash windfall which could kick-start big business for millport. a figure of £397,678, has been approved to establish a business centre in the grounds of The Garrison on Cumbrae.

The bid was made by Cumbrae Community Development Company (CCDC) to the Scottish Government in June.

Garrison (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Alan Hill, who has been closely associated with the Garrison and CCDC, said: “We very quickly looked at the projects that were current. One of the most pressing of these was the state of the public toilets on Cumbrae.

“We knew that we could ask for a considerable amount of money so we sounded out the viability of replacing them all. unfortunately, the rules surrounding the funding would not allow us to do that.

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A former Largs-based group which ‘adopted’ the town’s railway has distributed its remaining funds to ScotRail - to ensure its work continues. The defunct Largs in Bloom donated more than £1,300 to the train operator for improvements at Largs station.

Blooming good effort at station (Image: Newsquest)

The money has gone towards a new hexagonal planter on the station concourse which welcomes more than 200,000 incoming passengers a year. The new floral display joins its twin which ScotRail funded in the previous year.

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Marauding seagulls on Largs seafront got locals in a flap - but should they be placed top of the pecking order for action or just be left alone to spread their wings, we asked the public. During the previous month, Largs Community Council chairman Ian Murdoch called for the introduction of a bye-law to prohibit members of the public from feeding the gulls, while other local authorities have considered a cull, such was the extent of the problem.

Furthermore, there were a number of reports from members of the public about seagulls flocking outside eating areas including bars and cafes, to scoop ice cream and fish suppers out of people’s hands.

It would even appear that seagulls are not just after a feed when they swooped down on unsuspecting visitors after one of the birds was seen flying around Largs with a £20 note!

The bizarre incident occurred as local councillor Alex Gallagher and Ken Welch of the Largs Initiative group were having a chat in the Main Street. Mr Welch said: “I was just standing in the Main Street and a seagull came down with a £20 note in its beak. I was standing talking to Councillor Gallagher, and my wife Charlotte took it to the police station. It just dropped it on to the road. I think it was looking for a change. You don’t expect them to be dropping notes around."

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Largs youngster Ewen Randall was a Scottish gymnastics champ after winning the under 9s trophy in Perth.

The Kelburn Primary pupil is in his first full year of competition and has trained hard to prepare for the event. He competed on floor, vault and parallel bars and was coached by Alan McCarry of Largs Gymnastics Club at Inverclyde Sports Centre, where the youngster is a member.