An official ground-breaking has taken place at Stewarton Academy to mark the start of work on the school’s new £11.8m extension, which will be completed by the end of next year.

Christmas shopping, festive treats and a raffle will all be part of ‘Christmas at the Burns Monument Centre’ on Sunday 22 November in Kilmarnock.

At a meeting of Cabinet last week, elected members welcomed the news that the Council’s financial position has improved for this year.