ARDROSSAN marked 76 years of the sinking of the HMS Dasher at the weekend.

Local British Legion members, residents, and local organisations all came together to commemorate the lost vessel.

The HMS Dasher, a Royal Navy aircraft carrier, was lost off the coast of Ardrossan on March 27, 1943 and resulted in the deaths of 379 people.

The weekend’s commemorations saw those honouring the Dasher board the Ardrossan to Arran ferry and lay wreaths over the spot where the vessel was lost. This was followed by a service of remembrance at Ardrossan Cemetery in the afternoon.

A sombre parade marched through the town the following day, Sunday, March 31, culminating in a service at the Dasher Memorial.

Suzanne Fernando from the local legion said: “The parade had lots of people at the start and along the march to the memorial – large crowds as in previous years; much larger colour party this year with colours from Largs Irvine, Mungton, Prestwich and Ayr, along with the sea cadets and the 1st Stevenston Boys Brigade.

“The Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Legion Branch would like to thank everyone in attendance.”

Inspector Colin Convery, of the Three Town’s Locality Policing Team, added: “I am proud to be able to represent Police Scotland at the annual remembrance service for those who lost their lives in the tragic sinking of HMS Dasher.

“This was my second year attending the ceremony as local policing inspector for the area and I am grateful to the HMS Dasher Association for inviting us.

“Today’s ceremony at the permanent Dasher memorial in Ardrossan was a fitting tribute and reflected the positive community spirit here in the Three Towns as people young and old came together to mark the occasion.”