POIGNANT services of remembrance were held for the 379 lives lost on board the HMS Dasher over the weekend - marking 80 years since the naval disaster off the coast of Ardrossan.

Family members of those who lost their lives in the tragedy joined Armed Forces representatives, civic dignitaries, Royal British Legion Scotland members and local youth groups to mark the solemn occasion.

People travelled from far and wide for the anniversary services, many gathering in the town on Friday night.

Saturday saw many board the Ardrossan to Arran ferry, where wreaths were lowered into the waters above the spot where the Dasher went down on March 27, 1943.

It was the height of wartime - and despite many theories, the true cause of the disaster remains unknown.

The staggering loss of life went unrecorded at the time. Revealing such a disaster off the coast of Scotland during World War II would, said those in charge, destroy morale and newspapers were banned from reporting the story.

What happened to most of the bodies remains unknown, though 13 were interred in Ardrossan cemetery where, later on Saturday, many gathered for a short service to pay their respects.

On Sunday, a large crowd mustered on Ardrossan’s South Beach for a parade to the nearby Dasher Memorial. At the Remembrance Service which followed, the salute was taken by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran.

It was followed by the laying of crosses and and wreaths around the memorial.

Campaigners are still trying to find to where most of the Dasher victims lie. And North Ayrshire will never forget those who lost their lives that fateful day.