SOUTH Ayrshire Councillor Peter Convery has said that the Gordon Brown Memorial Garden is almost ready to re-open.

The famous 'Broon from Troon' was given a permanent fixture in the town, however the bench that was placed in the garden was vadalised some time ago.

South Ayrshire Council had promised to have the garden restored to its former glory for the start of the Open Championships, that were staged at Royal Troon in July 2016.

Gordon Brown passed away in March 2001 after a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma aged only 53. The British and Irish Lions legend hailed from Troon, with the bench and garden being a fixture of the town.

At the recent Troon Community Council meeting last Tuesday, the Troon councillor told members that the new and improved garden was almost ready to open but Mrs. Brown would not be present for the opening ceremony.

He said: "Had a meeting with Mrs. Brown that went very well. However, Mrs. Brown won't be attending the ceremony as she will be holidaying in the States I believe.

"Gordon Brown's son and daughter may be present. We haven't got a specific date yet."