A family's overnight stay and visit to a wildlife park has been spoiled after a thief stole their car.

Lynsey Gibson was getting her kids ready for the journey when her husband went outside and realised the car had disappeared this morning.

The black Renault Laguna, missing from Denholm Way in Beith, has the registration number SA60 ZCF and, Lynsey said, it had very little fuel in the tank.

She said: "The car was extremely low in diesel, they couldn't have got more than 10 miles out of Beith.

"A neighbour had mentioned on Facebook that he heard the car revving and speeding away around 5am."

Lynsey is appealing for people to keep an eye out for her car and to get in touch if it is spotted.

The family were looking forward to their pre-planned October holiday, with activities for today and tomorrow all booked and paid for.

Lynsey said: "We had booked to go to a wildlife park today so we were getting all ready for that when my husband went outside and realised my car wasn't there.

"It's caused a lot of upset for the kids because they were looking forward to it."

Other residents have said they have had their properties and vehicles targeted recently.

The Herald has asked Police Scotland for a statement.