AYR residents are being urged to come forward to claim their inheritance from a North Carolina man. 

Douglas Hunter Smith, who was originally from Ayr but residing in the USA, died on June 26, 2016, and lawyers are trying to track down his Ayrshire relatives who could stake a claim to his estate.

Mr Smith leaves behind two houses and almost five acres of land. It is believed he may still have 'maternal heirs' living in Ayr.

The legal documents state that any relatives who come forward must do so by February 27, 2019. It says: "To any unknown respondents, known but unlocated heirs or unknown heirs at law of Douglas Hunter Smith, you are hereby invited to respond to this action...no later than February 27, 2019.

See this week's Ayr Advertiser p17 for full details.