New ticketing machines are to be installed at the Largs seafront car park on a trial basis, a local councillor has revealed.

The move comes after weeks of problems at the facility, with long queues of drivers reported at the machines - something independent councillor Ian Murdoch labelled "embarrassing".

Councillor Murdoch says the new machines are part of a range of improvements planned at the car park, income from which is used to fund local projects in Largs.

He says the commitment to try out new machines comes after talks with Craig Hatton, the chief executive of North Ayrshire Council, and senior officials from the authority.

Long queues of drivers trying to use the machines were reported on Sunday, June 9, while Tiffany Irvin, from The Fish Works nearby, said her business had been "inundated" with angry drivers.

Councillor Murdoch, pictured below, said:  "I have been assured new signage will be installed and instructions and guidance for how to use the ticketing machines will be improved.

"The exit will be re-marked or signposted and the overall pay and display will be far clearer and signposted in a way that is user friendly.

(Image: Newsquest)

"The receipts from the current machine are practically unreadable and too complicated to use, so I have asked that this machine is also replaced with one similar to that in Bellman's Close, which has had no problems since when it was installed two years ago.

"The other two machines are going to be at locations which mean it will be more accessible and reduce the queues.

"I am pretty confident that this will make things much easier to use.

"These machines will be given to us on a trial basis. Should there prove to be no more problems, the prices I have been quoted for purchasing them are reasonable, so hopefully it will make things more efficient and increase the seafront car park revenue."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We are exploring options for the Largs Seafront Car Park and will provide further details in due course.”