WORK to demolish the 1930s extension on the old Ayr Academy begins this week.

With Ayr Academy’s history dating back to 1233, the current Fort Street building has been a local landmark since 1880.

Ayr Academy pupils relocated to its new home at Craigie Estate in summer 2017.

The £16m project for a new Ayr Grammar will see the building remodelled to create a facility with capacity for more than 430 pupils and a new early years centre. Community arts facilities as well as a new archive centre will also be created.

Councillor Peter Henderson, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance said: “The school has been a local landmark on Fort Street for generations and we’ve now started the journey to secure a long term future for this much loved building.”

“The demolition of the old 1930s blocks will open up the site and pave the way for a safe place for our children to play in, as part of the wider proposals being considered.”