The future of three high-rise blocks of flats in Ayr is to be decided over the coming months after the results of a structural survey were revealed.

The survey was undertaken at the three thirteen-storey high flats at Riverside Place in Ayr, which provide 234 homes in the town.

Its findings confirm there are no significant structural issues with the properties, which date back to 1969.

However, a number of issues were uncovered of which South Ayrshire Council was previously unaware.

These include timber window sections and panels which appear to date from the original structure of the building, as well as cavities exposed by the 1992 installation of the railing for the cladding.

Councillors will now engage with residents to consider the impact of the work on the long-term future of the buildings.

Councillor Philip Saxton said: "First and foremost, we can take comfort in the knowledge that the risk of major fire development and spread remains minimal as the main structure of the buildings, the cladding panels and the major insulation layers are non-combustible.

"However, I know tenants will have some concerns regarding the materials that have been found, which is perfectly understandable.

"At such an early stage, we're not in a position to answer the big question, which is what this means for the long-term future of the buildings. Our focus will be on working with tenants to consider this in much more detail and ensure they are involved and consulted every step of the way."

Joe Lafferty, chair of the River Ayr Tenants Association, said he was "encouraged" that the buildings had been found to be structurally sound.

He added: "There's obviously a much wider discussion to come about the longer-term future and investment in the buildings and I welcome the confirmation that the association and the tenants will be fully involved in this."