South Ayrshire children starting primary school this year will be the first to attend school for a full day from August.

The change comes after more than two thirds of parents and carers agreed with the move in a council-wide consultation.

Previously, new P1 children only attended school for the morning session until the first Monday in September.

Councillor William Grant said: "Our previous P1 arrangements had been in place for a number of years and were designed to support children as they moved from nursery, early years centres or home to a school environment.

"However, they didn't really take account of the changes in early years provision over recent years or reflect the fact that many children are now used to being away from home in an early years setting for a good part - if not all - of the day.

"The new arrangements will address the anomaly of children like these having to revert to shorter days when they first go to school, and for working families having to put transport and afternoon childcare arrangements in place for the first couple of weeks of term."

The council is giving parents the option to take their children out of school at lunch time for the first ten days of term should they wish.

Councillor Grant said: "This is a positive and balanced approach to introducing the new arrangements and will help ensure they can be implemented in as smooth and seamless a way as possible."

As a result of the new arrangements, P1 children will start school on Monday August 20, the same date all other children return to school.