This week, we look back at the big North Ayrshire stories from May 2004.

And it was a particularly busy time for the Herald team, with new bypasses, environmental protests, gala events and even a local winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year.

Who can you spot in these pictures from 20 years ago?

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Easter

Budding young artist and Dalry Primary School pupil Kirsty-Ann Muir staved off opposition from her peers throughout Ayrshire to win an Easter art competition in May 2004

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: coup

Devastated protesters expressed their anger after the massive Trearne Quarry development near Beith was given the green light by North Ayrshire councillors. Campaign group Residents Against the Tip Site (RATS) vowed legal action, with one member saying: “They know that is against their own environmental policy and yet they approve this tip site. It’s absolutely unbelievable.”

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Gala

Karis Smith was set to be crowned West Kilbride’s Gala Queen for 2004. The 12-year-old Ardrossan Academy pupil was selected to the perform official Royal duties in May and was already looking forward to the big day.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Beith guides

Members and leaders of 3rd Beith Guides paid a visit to police HQ in Glasgow in May 2004.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Glengarnock

Fascinated youngsters from Glengarnock primary all had a hair-raising experience when the Royal Bank’s Science Circus visited the school in May 2004. Pupils Cheryl Crawford, Hope Pattison, Lucy Mackay and Kirsty White got to study how the human body works.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Nico;a Benedetti from West Kilbride was crowned BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2004

West Kilbride teenager Nicola Benedetti had the world at her feet after her stunning performance at the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in May 2004. The 16-year-old violinist won the contest with a breathtaking performance of a violin concerto by the Polish composer Szymanowski.