The firm behind Belfast's Titanic Quarter could play a major role in building a £450m leisure resort in Scotland.

The redevelopment of the 580-acre Loudoun Castle estate in East Ayrshire could create up to 1000 jobs.

The castle would be turned into a hotel and holiday lodges, houses and sports facilities would be built.

Harcourt Developments has now revealed it is in talks about joining the consortium behind the resort.

The Titanic Quarter transformed a neglected part of Belfast into a thriving centre for tourism and business, creating thousands of jobs.

The Titanic Belfast museum was named the world's leading tourist attraction in the World Travel Awards 2016.

David Mace, who leads the group behind the Ayrshire plan, said: "The fact that Harcourt is considering becoming part of the Loudoun Woods consortium and making a significant investment in Scotland speaks volumes for the quality and international scope of what we are planning."

Work could begin as early as 2018 if the proposal is approved by Scottish ministers, who "called in" the application because of its potential economic benefit.

Loudoun Castle was formerly a theme park, which closed its doors in 2010.