A well-known North Ayrshire funeral director has retired after 27 years with Irvine Co-op.

Jim Cunningham enjoyed a farewell lunch with his colleagues at the Gailes Hotel last week.

The dad of two, who lives in Kilwinning but is originally from West Kilbride, is a well-known member of the community.

Before joining Co-op Funeralcare, where he was a senior funeral director, Jim worked at ICI in Stevenston for 20 years. He also played for Kilwinning Rangers for five years and was vice captain at Ardeer Golf Club.

Jim, 64, spoke about life since his retirement: “I’m back to my walking. I walk from Kilwinning, through Stevenston, Saltcoats, Ardrossan, up Sorbie Road and back to Kilwinning again. I’ve been doing that every day. It takes me about two-and-a-half hours, but sometimes it’s much longer because I keep bumping into people I know!

“Apart from that, I’m already fed up. I wake up every morning thinking I’m going to work. It’s hard to get used to.”

Everyone at the Herald wishes Jim a happy retirement.