This year marks 30 years since severe flooding hit the Three Towns which catapulted the area into headlines across the globe.

Saltcoats was the most impacted town after torrential rain and high winds in January 1991 caused flood damage to 420 properties with some parts of the town laying under five feet of water.

The cost of the storm ran into millions but luckily no one was seriously injured.

Watch below footage of how the emergency services dealt with the incident as fire crews were forced to use a boat to rescue residents.

The footage was broadcast as far as Australia.

Unsurprisingly, the floods were the front page of the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald with the headline ‘Swamped' and ‘Saltcoats washed out'.

An excerpt reads: “Storm-ravaged Saltcoats was left counting the cost this week after torrential rain and high tides, whipped on by gale force winds, turned the shopping precinct into a swirling lake and sent thundering torrents sweeping down the surrounding streets.”

The paper also launched a flood relief appeal to help residents affected.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The front page of the Ardrossan Herald on the week of the 1991 floods that hit the Three Towns.The front page of the Ardrossan Herald on the week of the 1991 floods that hit the Three Towns.