An East Ayrshire athlete is heading to Australia next week to represent Team Scotland at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Adam Hall, 22, has been part of the East Ayrshire talented athlete support programme playing badminton since it started in 2009 and now holds podium potential status.

The Mauchline born player has won a record breaking 27 Scottish junior titles and started this year by defending his senior Men's Doubles title at the Scottish Championships, and took gold in Men's Doubles at the Iceland International.

Part of the Achieve programme at Glasgow 2014, Hall was determined to represent his country after experiencing the atmosphere of working behind the scenes at the Commonwealth Games.

Provost Jim Todd and councillor Elena Whitham met Hall at Park School's badminton club to present him with a gift to take to Australia.

Hall spoke at length to the pupils who are part of the badminton club.

He said: "People throughout your career will always tell you that you can't achieve your goals, can't get to the top of our game and can't win major titles.

"My advice would be to ignore the doubters and only believe in yourself.

"You can achieve anything as long as you work hard and don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Always believe that you can."