Ferry operator P&O has announced the closure of its Troon to Larne route with immediate effect.

The company said it had to face the "stark reality" the service was making "significant losses".

Its Troon to Larne route had been operating between Scotland and Northern Ireland since 2003.

P&O insisted there would be no job losses as a result of the decision and said it would continue to operate its service to Larne from Cairnryan.

The company said the decision to end the Troon service, which did not operate in the winter months, came after a "comprehensive review".

A statement said: "P&O Ferries has proudly operated this additional seasonal route since 2003 but the stark reality is that the company is continuing to make significant losses and sadly the income from ticket sales is not sufficient to cover the annual vessel and port operating costs.

"In a final attempt to make the route economic, the company reduced the service in the off-peak months last year whilst maintaining the full service in the peak months of July and August.

"Whilst this measure did significantly reduce the operating costs, the route remained loss-making.

"Since the last sailing at the end of September, P&O Ferries has continued to negotiate with a number of suppliers and other organisations, including the search for a lower cost chartered fast-craft to be able to continue, but we have been unable to develop a solution for the company.

"There will be no redundancies, with all permanent staff being found alternative roles within the company."