A popular Ayr councillor has quit her role after spending months combining the job with her responsibilities as an MSP.

SNP politician Siobhian Brown has resigned a councillor for the Ayr West ward to focus on her Scottish Parliament duties.

Ms Brown was elected as the area's MSP in May last year.

She says she chose to remain on as a councillor to save the taxpayer the cost of a by-election.

Under local government legislation, her resignation means the position will remain vacant until all Scotland's council seats go up for election in May.

Ms Brown said: “After being elected to the Ayr seat in May 2021, like most newly-elected MSPs who are councillors, I chose to stay on in the role.

“The main reason was that I wanted to save the cost of a by-election on local taxpayers for such a short period of time, as elections are due to take place this year.

"It was always my intention to step down and I believe now is the right time."

Ms Brown added: “I have given my all to both roles and I have continued to assist my Ayr West constituents on local council issues, but I need to prioritise and concentrate on being an MSP and my role as convener of the Covid-19 recovery committee.

“I am determined to move forward with the plans for the Station Hotel and Prestwick Airport within my role in government, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with South Ayrshire Council."

Ms Brown has been donating her councillor's salary to charity since being elected as an MSP, and says she will now make a final donation from the last payment of her councillor’s allowance.

She added: "It has been a pleasure to serve the people of Ayr West since 2017 and I look forward to continuing to do that in my capacity as an MSP."

A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: "We would like to thank Siobhian for all her hard work as a councillor for Ayr West, portfolio holder and for serving on a number of panels.

"The Local Government Scotland Act 1973 provides that an election shall not be held where a councillor resigns within six months of the Local Government Elections. Instead the vacancy is filled at the next election."

Voters in South Ayrshire - and all Scotland's local authority areas - will go to the polls to elect thier new councillors on Thursday, May 5.