South Ayrshire Council has appointed a contractor and design team to develop new office accommodation at the Riverside Block.

Morgan Sindall have been appointed as the project's Tier 1 contractor, while architects Keppie Design, which was employed to provide the original designs for the new offices, has been appointed as design consultants.

The regeneration of the historic part of Ayr's town centre is the first part of the site's wider development.

Ayr Renaissance submitted a masterplan for a mixed development between High Street and the River Ayr last year.

It sets out a commitment to top quality design to an overall scale that respects the surrounding conservation area.

With demolition of the existing site now well advanced, the council is now moving ahead with its plans for a new modern office development that will eventually house around 350 workers.

South Ayrshire Council's portfolio holder for resources and performance, Peter Henderson said: "With the contractor and design team now in place we can start to bring together concrete plans to breathe new life into this landmark project.

"Work on site is already making a real difference to the local landscape with the old buildings on High Street now largely demolished, revealing the true scale of the project that will, in time, transform an historic area of Ayr's town centre.

"The council block is the anchor development for the wider plan, and I look forward to seeing further progress in the coming months as construction work gets underway."

Work is expected to begin in spring 2018, following the conclusion of demolition and archaeological works.