Peace seeds originating from the "A-bomed" gingko trees in Hiroshima are to take root in South Ayrshire.

Thirty seeds were donated by Mayors for Peace, an international organisation that brings together cities and places dedicated to the promotion of peace.

It was created by the then mayor of Hiroshima in response to the deaths of around 140,000 people in the atomic bombing of the city on August 6, 1945.

While the bombing reduced the city to ashes, trees that had been devastated by the bomb sprouted buds again from their burnt trunks, and became a symbol of hope and courage for the country.

Seeds from the A-bombed trees have been donated to a number of countries, allowing spirit, hope and courage that stemmed from Hiroshima to be spread across the world.

South Ayrshire's seeds have been planted at Belleisle Conservatory and will be looked after there until the saplings are ready to be planted in the ground.

Consul-General of Japan, Daisuke Matsunaga, said: "Hiroshima is very close to my heart.

"In fact, my wife's family is originally from Hiroshima, and one of her uncles, who was a 13-year-old schoolboy, perished near the epicentre on the fateful day of August 6, 1945.

"I highly appreciate the initiative of Mayors for Peace. I truly believe in the power of prayer.

"If people wishing for peace get together and send out their sincere wishes to the world and the universe, it will surely help us achieve peace.

"May the ginkgo seeds grow up to be a symbol of this admirable aspiration."