Over 500 current and former employees of North Ayrshire Council are to receive settlement offers for equal pay claims.

North Ayrshire Council has reached an agreement with the trade union solicitors to settle all claims submitted to the authority.

The announcement comes after discussions with trade unions' solicitors acting on behalf of claimants.

Councillor Joe Cullinane said: "When I became council leader 18 months ago, I made it clear I wanted our equal pay claims resolved.

"Equal pay has been a stain on local government for too long.

"It has taken 18 months but we are pleased that the claims have now been resolved and that payment can now be made."

The process to pay out the equal pay settled claims is under way and it is expected that all payments will be made within the next few months.