A Prestwick Airport building is being prepared as a temporary mortuary as all three Ayrshire councils agree plans in case coronavirus deaths increase rapidly.

A currently disused building at the airport will be used for the storage of bodies if required in the case of a spike in deaths.

Temporary mortuary provisions have been put in place in other parts of the country for use during the pandemic.

A joint statement from North, East and South Ayrshire Councils said: "As part of our contingency measures in relation to COVID-19, we have taken an all Ayrshire approach to facilitate a temporary body storage facility at Prestwick Airport.

“The three Ayrshire Councils are in regular contact with the NHS and Funeral Directors across the region to assess their capacity to manage any additional deaths throughout this period.

"The Prestwick facility will only be used in the event that Funeral Directors can no longer manage any additional deaths.”

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Prestwick Airport is being prepared as a temporary mortuary.Prestwick Airport is being prepared as a temporary mortuary.