A POPULAR café in Largs has announced a "heartbreaking" decision to close temporarily due to its owner's ill health.

A message was left on the Gypsy Cream's Facebook page explaining why the café had to shut down over the weekend.

The post, Sharon Kean, read: "To our lovely friends and customers: As some of you may already know, Alex (Kean) has taken ill in the last month and will need my care and full attention in the coming weeks.

"We have taken the heartbreaking decision to close the café temporarily as of today. We are so sorry for any inconvenience caused at this time, the plan is to reopen in the near future.

"Thank you for all being so fantastic and supportive over the years and all the banter and laughs we have enjoyed.

"Take care for now."

Alex is the proprietor of the business which is situated close to the town centre.

Customers have responded with sending many supportive messages the official Facebook page.

The Gypsy Cream is a multi-award-winning café which has been running in Frazer Street for many years.

In 2012,  the café won the best soup in Scotland award as part of the 'Good Food Guide' - Scotland's online tourist guide, and frequently features highly in Tripadvisor reviews.

On Tripadvisor, The Gypsy Cream is described as a friendly independent coffee shop and gallery, with a focus on "fresh not frozen" and it has a daily choice of three or four homemade soups with a vegetarian and gluten free option.

The temporary closure of the Gypsy Cream comes just two days after the shock announcement of Moka café closing in Tron Place in Largs.

 Ardrossan business Moka opened its second branch in North Ayrshire back in March.

Their last day of trading was on Sunday, September 15, where customers received a 15 per cent discount as a token of appreciation.

The plant-based and vegetarian food business stated the "challenging demand" for their services and the summer have contributed towards the decision to close at short notice.