A BBC television crew came to Irvine and Kilwinning to make a programme about breathing new life into empty properties.

TV presenter Matt Allwright – best known for Rogue Traders – visited North Ayrshire to shine a spotlight on the Council’s Private Sector Housing team for the new BBC One series, Britain’s Housing Scandal.

With many disused properties lying empty across the UK, Matt discovered the work being done to bring derelict homes back into use here in North Ayrshire.

Matt speaks to team manager Emma Anderson and Drew Davidson, Senior Officer Operations with Building Services, as he visits Craignaw Place in Irvine and Woodwynd in Kilwinning.

Both houses were privately owned but had fallen into disrepair after becoming vacant.

The council recently acquired both properties which will now be transformed from derelict shells into fantastic family homes.

Cabinet Member for Place Jim Montgomerie said: “We know how empty properties can be a blight on local communities and attract anti-social behaviour. However, we’ve made great progress into dealing with this issue and, over the last three years, we have managed to bring 462 empty properties back into use.

“That’s an incredible figure and testament to the outstanding work going on here in North Ayrshire as part of our continuing efforts to regenerate our communities.”

The Private Sector Housing team who previously received national recognition at Shelter’s annual Scottish Empty Homes Conference, with Matt Allwright on hand to present the team with the award for Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year 2019 for Outstanding Service.

Catch up with Britain’s Housing Scandal on BBC iPlayer.