NEWLY-knighted entertainer Sir Billy Connolly made a surprise appearance in Troon last Wednesday.

He came down for the Glasgow Taxis outing and called in at the Artisan Deli in Ayr Street and the Wee Hurrie chip shop at the Harbour.

Deli shop assistant Alison Doig admitted being "star-struck" when the legendary entertainer and broadcaster dropped in buy some anchovy relish.

She said: "I didn't know it was him for not but a man came into the shop and said it was Billy Connolly and asked for his autograph so I knew it was him. He was very nice and had a chat to me. He bought some anchovy relish. I didn't ask for a picture but got his autograph.

"He signed it Billy Connolly and as he was leaving he said I keep forgetting I'm a sir. I asked him if I should be curtseying. Funnily enough I had been watching a programme about his portraits being painted. I was quite starstruck."

Although she had never met him before Faith saw him at a distance more than 20 years ago when he was filming a TV programme.

She added: "I cooked for him about 20 odd years ago when I was working at Coulter Mill in Biggar an he was filming the World Tour of Scotland. I knew he was there but didn't have an opportunity to meet him.

Faith Wylie, shop assistant at the Wee Hurrie said: "Billy has been here before. He ordered two fish suppers and sat outside. At first I didn't know it was him when he gave me money but I didn't want to bug him. One of the customers said: "All right, Big Yin and he said hello to them. He is a really popular guy."

Billy was in the town on the day of the Glasgow Taxis Association outing for around 400 underprivileged children and children with special needs.

Troon Community Council Chairwoman Helen Duff said: "Billy is a Glasgow man so he would be down for the taxis trip. It was great someone like him was in the town.The day went really well."

Local resident Emma Jess had her picture taken with the star.

She said: "We didn't really talk to him, just got a quick picture."