Proposed cuts to bus services throughout South Ayrshire are causing concerns.

The impending changes will affect services one, eight and nine in South Ayr, with some of the services merged to combat low demand.

An additional service 14 bus has been introduced due to traffic congestion in Prestwick at a cost of £120,000 a year.

While the service will become more frequent, it will no longer serve Monkton or Irvine.

There will also be considerable changes to Stagecoach services 2 and 3, services 42, 43 and 43A and the X77 service.

Councillors have expressed concerns about the proposals, which will also no longer stop at Culzean Castle.

Portfolio holder for sustainability and the environment, councillor Ian Cochrane, said: "In South Ayrshire, buses are a real lifeline, enabling residents to keep their independence for longer.

"These proposals would affect people trying to get to health appointments and inhibit others from accessing work and further education.

"There would also be an environmental impact as reducing bus services would mean an increase in car journeys when we should be doing all we can to reduce our carbon footprint and help protect South Ayrshire for future generations."

He added: "I intend to sit down with Stagecoach to discuss their proposals and highlight the need to protect these vital services.

"I would encourage people to take part in the consultation and let Stagecoach know just how devastating these plans would be for communities across South Ayrshire."

Managing director of Stagecoach West Scotland Tom Bridge said: "We have seen some big changes in our customers' travel patterns in the last two years because of things like internet shopping, working from home and traffic congestion in our towns and cities.

"We have to adapt to these changes and that is why we are consulting on these proposals.

"We want our customers and other local stakeholders to help us shape a network of services in South & East Ayrshire that best serves the current and future needs of local workers, students, job seekers, retired people and visitors."