Police from South Ayrshire and Galloway launched a two-week cross-boundary initiative to improve safety on the A77 on Monday.

Officers from both areas will work alongside specialist road policing officers to carry out dedicated high visibility mobile patrols on the road between Ayr and Stranraer.

The initiative comes in response to recent fatalities on the roads and concerns raised by members of the public, community councils and councillors.

The aim of the operation will be to influence driver behaviour through targeted enforcement and awareness.

There will be days of action which will include multi-agency vehicle checks at strategic locations.

Galloway chief Inspector Mark Hollis said: "This initiative is just the first step in an enhanced relationship with our colleagues in South Ayrshire and Ayrshire Road Policing to ensure a sustainable approach to improving road safety and reducing fatalities on our roads.

"Road safety is a priority across Scotland and it is essential that with our rural roads and heavy goods traffic we take every action we can to improve it."

The initiative will run for two weeks and then provide a platform for continued police and partner activity as part of the National Road Safety Festive campaign.