The number of North Ayrshire residents working in tourism increased by five per cent in just one year, new figures show.

The statistics, produced by Visit Scotland, show that tourism supports 3,900 jobs in North Ayrshire, 10 per cent of the total number of jobs in the area.

Between 2014 and 2015, the number of people employed in the sector across Scotland grew to 217,000 – with the 11 per cent increase in Scotland above the four per cent rise in the UK as a whole.

The 217,000 members of the Scottish tourism industry represent nine per cent of the country’s total employment and is the highest tourism level since Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) records began in 2009.

41 per cent of staff in the tourism industry work in restaurants, 24 per cent in hotels and other accommodation and 17 per cent in bars and related businesses.

Ruth Maguire, SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, said: “Scotland is famed for its warm welcome, incredible scenery and top class attractions – and with 2017 the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology we are celebrating our exceptional historical attractions, such as Kilwinning Abbey and Irvine Harbour.

“Our tourism industry is going from strength to strength and this increase in jobs shows the vital role that tourism plays in Scotland’s economy and particularly in Cunninghame South.

“With Scotland ranked second in the Rough Guides list of the best countries in the world to visit this year, tourism in North Ayrshire has a very bright future.”