A bid to retain part of a popular church building in Largs for community use could have many benefits for the local area.

That is the view of SNP Councillor Alan Hill who is keen for St John's Church to be kept for the local area - and could host a potential community centre, with its adjoining facilities including the Dunn Memorial Hall.

Sunday services stopped at St John's Church and St Columba's Parish at the end of September but the Church of Scotland have confirmed that the church building will remain open for weddings, funerals and other occasions.

The new Largs Community Church - which has seen all the kirk sessions come together locally - will decide upon the future outcome of the buildings.

With the new Largs Community Church Kirk Session recently amalgamated, the details of the future of the church buildings are yet to be discussed, the News has been informed.

Cllr Hill said: "It will be no secret to anyone that I would be keen to see the town retain at least a part of St John's church as community space.

"It is amazing that the church and congregation have confirmed that it will remain available for community use until Summer 2024 but we need to secure it beyond that date.

"I have already reached out to the church, as has Largs Community Council, and we stand ready to work with any local groups to grow and develop a new community centre for Largs.

"We are the largest town in North Ayrshire without such a facility and the church closures whilst sad in themselves do offer us an opportunity of finally securing a community managed space for use by everyone in the Largs area.

"The new Largs Community Develpment Trust, about which there will be more soon, will also be ready as a potential vehicle to take a project such as this forward and to seek funding locally and nationally to develop much needed community space for Largs."