Ayrshire: Girl, six, dresses up as Largs and Millport paper

The Largs and Millport Weekly News - affectionately nicknamed The Wee Paper -  proved to be the winning formula for Emilia Marshall, who starred as 'Miss Print' as her parents dressed her up in a special costume inspired by the Wee Paper and some Blue Peter style creativity.

Emilia's parents and friend Shona Wallace were staying at Largs Yacht Haven and spotted the popular September Weekend event when reading the Largs and Millport News - and hatched the Wee Paper plan for the dressing up competition.

Shona said: "Emilia was so excited at the prospect but we had no dressing up gear and hadn't planned anything as it was a last-minute trip.

"This is where the Largs and Millport came to our rescue, we bought six copies and turned Emilia into "Miss Print"! She loved the newspaper gown and we made her a bunch of flowers to match, like a true beauty queen would have.

"When we arrived at the event, there were so many great costumes but we were delighted when they announced that Miss Print had won!"

Mum Arlene said: "We dashed to the Co-op in Largs and bought six copies of the paper and then headed to the Pound Shop for pile cleaners, staplers and other bits and pieces including glue.

"We then made the crown out of pipe cleaners and then she had the bouquet of flowers.

"It was amazing to win the top prize as everyone put in a great effort."

The Marshall family, who live in Port Glasgow, popped down to the area for the weekend after sailing down in their yacht from James Watt Dock in Greenock, when they found out about Millport's famous September Weekend festival.

She said: "My friend Shona is from Bishopton and came down to meet us. Shona's husband Craig has family in Millport and hence why we decided to head across. I had never heard of the September Weekend before but I was very impressed and we spent a long time at the festival and it was great fun for all the family and a fantastic atmosphere.

"It was very much like something you would make or design on Blue Peter - I have to admit I was a big fan of the show when growing up."

Proud Arlene and dad Colin couldn't believe it when Emilia was chosen as the winner of the dressing up contest and the family were delighted.

She added: "We want to go back next year and defend our title - I don't know as yet what we will come with next year but it was wonderful to be part of the family fun weekend and to see everyone enjoying themselves, and we will definitely be back!"

The Wee Paper was so named to differentiate it from another title available at the time in 1877 when the newspaper was first printed, and has been dedicatedly serving Largs and MIllport, and other districts, for 146 years.