LOCALS have been left "appalled" after an Ardrossan community centre was targeted by vandals.

The Whitlees Community Centre, on Carrick Place, announced the damage to the centre on Friday.

Volunteers from the centre told residents that they would be unable to offer their usual breakfasts - as they were waiting for police to attend.

They said the police had been alerted after volunteers arrived at the building to discover that windows hadc been smashed.

A spokesperson said on social media: "Unfortunately this morning we were broke into again, smashed windows, waiting on the police to come, please can you share as we can’t open for breakfast this morning."

Unsurprisingly the news sparked a mixture of anger and sympathy among those who commented on the post.

One person commented: "Absolutely appalled to be reading this. I am sorry to those of you who are doing amazing things for our community, only to have to wake up to this.

Another added: "I’m so sorry to be reading this, they have no respect for all you do in the community to help others and put a smile on so many faces. I hope they are caught."

Happily for the centre team, they were back in operation later that day - stating in a social media update that they were "back open and won't be stopped".

Police Scotland have confirmed that they are investigating the incident.

A force spokesperson said: “In the early hours of Friday, April 21, 2023, police received a report of a break-in to a premises on Carrick Place, Ardrossan.

"Enquiries are at an early stage.”