Plans to build a new Community Campus for Tarbolton are a step closer with the official contracts now signed.

Demolition of the original school building is complete to make way for the new-build phase of the works.

The development, funded by South Ayrshire Council, is set to open in the early part of 2017.

The £8.2m project will provide places for 297 primary pupils and 40 nursery children, with sports, leisure, library facilities, and meeting rooms all being provided under one roof to be used as shared facilities for the whole community.

The project will also include extensive landscaping to ensure that the campus is both accessible from all parts of the village while fitting in with the existing feel of the local area.

Councillor Margaret Toner, Lifelong learning Portfolio Holder, at South Ayrshire Council, said she was pleased to see the project progress, “We’re committed to providing all our children with equal access to education and our rural schools play an important role in our wider vision.

“This exciting project is moving ahead following extensive engagement with the local community and I’m pleased to say we’ve enjoyed widespread support for our plans.

“I look forward to seeing this new community hub coming together in the next few months, and I’m confident the public will like what they see when the doors open next year.”