North Ayrshire Council has said it will not proceed with a proposal to create a single schools campus for the Three Towns area.

The decision follows a six-month public consultation period on the plans and strong public opinion.

The Council's Cabinet had published a proposal to merge Ardrossan Academy, Auchenharvie Academy, Haysholm School and James McFarlane School into a single, new £40m campus on the Ardrossan Academy site. However, after hearing from parent representatives from each of the four schools, as well as a report on feedback received during the consultation, it was revealed there was limited support for the plan.

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Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Tony Gurney, said: "Following the response to the consultation, we felt it appropriate to invite representatives from each of the schools to speak to us directly and we listened closely to what they had to say.

"Unfortunately we have been unable to persuade the majority of people of the opportunities the new school would have created. We have decided, therefore, not to proceed with the merger.

"We now require to take a little time to reflect and consider alternative proposals for the schools in the Three Towns and also in respect of our special schools."

(JP/MH)