Construction firms are being urged to bid for the contract to build the £30m A77 Maybole bypass.

The winning firm will be required to build around 5.2km route of bypass and associated junctions for the major South Ayrshire project.

The scheme will separate local road users from those travelling longer distances, including to the key ports of Stranraer and Cairnryan.

Construction is expected to reduce the congestion within the town, and will improve journey times for long distance road users.

Work is expected to get underway on the bypass in 2018.

The work brings the total value of contracts awarded and advertised over recent months to £174m.