A former nuclear monitoring post in the hills behind Largs and Skelmorlie serves a very different purpose these days as a visitor attraction but it also helps the emergency services in their drills and preparations.

Both Largs and Ardrossan coastguard units were involved in rope rescue training at Skelmorlie Secret Bunker museum as part of a community outreach programme.

The underground monitoring post, situated at Meigle, was constructed in April 1965 and remained operational until the stand-down of the UK monitoring posts in September 1991 as a result of the ending of the Cold War and the diminished nuclear threat.

In 2004, the monitoring post was restored back to its original condition as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who had served in the Corps and in 2017 a portable building and small car park were added to the site to enhance the visitor experience during conducted guided tours. It also includes a museum.

Museum curator Frank Alexander said: "This is the fourth annual training event which provides them with a safe but challenging training scenario in order to enhance their professional skills.

"We are proud to be associated with the work HM Coastguard as a blue light service carries out  for the benefit of all in our community."