More than 600 new homes will be built and hundreds more improved as part of an "ambitious" programme to improve a council's housing stock.

East Ayrshire Council plans to carry out the work over the next five years with the aim of providing high-quality, affordable homes and exceeding national quality and efficiency targets.

Around £63m will be invested in building 604 new homes, while another £68m will be spent on improving current stock.

The cash comes after £500m was earmarked by the council for investment across the area earlier this year.

Eoghann MacColl, cabinet member for housing and communities at the council, said: "We've almost 13,000 tenants and we want to ensure that we provide sustainable and quality homes that meet their future aspirations.

"We have already fully achieved the Scottish Housing Quality Standard for all of our stock and are making excellent progress towards meeting the national energy efficiency targets.

"Over the next five years, 600 new homes will be built in East Ayrshire and hundreds more improved, as we embark on this exciting and ambitious £131m programme of refreshing and renewing our housing."

The council said it will work with tenants to offer alternative accommodation while improvements are made, or if new homes are to be built.

Council leader Douglas Reid said: "Given the very challenging and uncertain economic backdrop, this is a once in a generation opportunity to develop a new strategy that focuses on people, quality and improvement and to invest accordingly."