A major facelift for poorly-insulated properties in South Ayrshire is on the way - and it's set to drive down heating bills for both tenants and home owners.

Householders in Girvan and Dailly will be the first to benefit - with properties in Tarbolton, Kincaidston, Dalmilling and Lochside in line for similar upgrades later in the year.

A total of 76 homes in the Girvan and Dailly areas - 27 of them privately owned, 49 council-owned - will receive external wall insulation and new roof coverings in the first phase of the programme.

The improvements are being delivered after the Scottish Government awarded funding of £1,547,885 to South Ayrshire Council to deliver an Energy Efficient Scotland area-based scheme (ABS) during the 2023-24 financial year.

It’s anticipated that 279 properties will be supported through this year’s programme, resulting in 5,330 tonnes of lifetime carbon savings and £3 million of lifetime fuel bill savings.

Councillor Martin Kilbride, buildings, housing and environment portfolio holder for South Ayrshire Council, said: “Over the last 10 years, the council has worked with partners to improve the energy efficiency of 3,369 properties across South Ayrshire.

"This has been a great achievement but with energy prices still inflated, we’re keen to work with our partners to help as many residents as we can.”

A spokesperson from the Energy Agency said: “We are delighted to be supporting residents of Girvan and Dailly through delivery of the ABS programme.

"Targeted properties will benefit from the installation of external wall insulation systems, to improve their thermal performance, which will reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills for residents.

"New roof covering systems will also be installed, providing a fully new insulated external façade.”

The work on the Girvan and Dailly properties is expected to be complete by October.