The Conservatives have swept to power in South Ayrshire as their councillors have taken all the leadership positions available.

Ayr West councillors Martin Dowey and Lee Lyons have been elected as the leader of South Ayrshire Council and Depute Leader respectively at a full council meeting today (Thursday, May 19).

The SNP had proposed Girvan councillor Peter Henderson to lead the council for a second term but were outvoted by 12 votes to nine, with seven councillors abstaining from the vote.

All five Labour councillors abstained, as well as independent councillors Alec Clark (Girvan and South Carrick) and Brian Connolly (Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton).

All 10 Conservative and Unionist councillors voted for Dowey and were backed up by former party councillor and now independent, Hugh Hunter (Prestwick), as well as new independent councillor Bob Shields (Ayr West).

The voting make-up was the same for Lee Lyons in the Depute Leader role, who beat the SNP's choice, Ian Cochrane (Prestwick).

Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton councillor, Iain Campbell, was voted in as Provost and Ayr East councillor Mary Kilpatrick was voted in as Depute Provost. 

The SNP put forward William Grant (Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton) for Provost and Julie Dettbarn (Kyle) for Depute Provost. 

William Grant lost out to Iain Campbell by 12 votes to 11, with five abstentions. Julie Dettbarn lost to Mary Kilpatrick by 12 votes to nine, with seven abstentions. 

The meeting continues.

This is a breaking news story and we will update this page as and when we have more information.