North Ayrshire Council is in the running to be named UK Council of the Year.

They are one of nine councils from across the UK to make the final of the Association of Public Services Excellence awards.

The Council has been shortlisted for the top honour after receiving 11 individual nominations in the prestigious national awards scheme.

Only authorities which are shortlisted in four or more individual categories are considered for the Council of the Year title, which recognises and rewards innovation

North Ayrshire Council chief executive Elma Murray said: "This is great news for North Ayrshire and testament to the ground-breaking work that our Councillors encourage and staff deliver.

"To be shortlisted in 11 categories shows the innovation, progress and hard work being carried out across a very wide range of different services to improve the lives of the people of North Ayrshire.

"And to reach the final stage of the 'Council of the Year' award for the fourth consecutive year is an even greater achievement - it really illustrates that even though we are not a large authority, we continue to punch above our weight and compete at the highest level with Councils right across the UK."

North Ayrshire Council leader Joe Cullinane said: "With Councils facing reducing budgets from central government and increasing demand for services, it's more important than ever that we are able to improve and deliver high quality services to the people of North Ayrshire - these nominations show that is what we are achieving."