DETAILS have now been revealed as two church buildings in Saltcoats prepare to close.

Church of Scotland buildings at North Parish Church and St Cuthbert's Church are due to be closed in December of this year as part of a wider mission plan for the presbytery area of Ardrossan - which covers the Three Towns, Kilwinning, West Kilbride and the Garnock Valley.

READ MORE: Church of Scotland: Three Towns and Garnock Valley buildings to close

The decision made by the presbytery planning committee is to close the two Saltcoats church buildings and form one united charge for Ardrossan and Saltcoats.

This will see congregations from these two churches merged with those at the two buildings in Ardrossan and Saltcoats which are to remain in operation - Park Church in Ardrossan and Kirkgate in Saltcoats.

Ahead of the closure of both North Parish and St Cuthbert's, details have now been revealed for the united charge of the two towns.

The basis of union is discussed in the most recent parish magazine by St Cuthbert's, which looks to cover the key questions raised regarding the union.

The united congregation is to be named "Ardrossan and Saltcoats Church of Scotland" and the buildings currently occupied by Kirkgate and Park will be the the places of worship of the united charge.

Services will be held in both these buildings each Sunday at times decided by the ministers and kirk sessions once the united charge forms.

The churches currently used by the congregations of Saltcoats North and Saltcoats St Cuthbert's shall be used, sold, let or otherwise disposed of subject to the titles on which they are held, subject to the approval of the Presbytery and, if necessary, the General Trustees or the General Assembly.

While it is intended that this closure will be by December 1, their is hope that a request to delay this until January 1, 2024 will be granted. This would be to "allow the closing churches to have Advent and Christmas at home".

READ MORE: Three Towns churches set to close as decision rubber-stamped

In terms of the boundary covered by the united charge, it is stated that this will be "designated as the bounds of the present four parishes" though this could be altered by the presbytery.

The kirk sesssion of the united charge will be formed by the current elders from all four church buildings at present.

The property and funds belonging to or held on behalf of each congregation shall belong to or be held on behalf of the united charge and any transference necessary shall be duly effected.

The new congregation shall have two ministers, one of which has already been decided, with the Reverend Nigel Chikanya - currently minister at Ardrossan and Saltcoats Kirkgate - confirmed in this role.

He will continue to occupy the manse of the current congregation at Kirkgate which is to be retained for the united charge.

Upon union, the congregation shall proceed to the appointment of a second minister who shall be inducted as minister of Ardrossan and Saltcoats Church of Scotland.

A second manse will be selected from the other three present manses for the second minister.

While it was also discussed that a feasibilty study would be considered to explore improving disability access at the church buildings which are to remain open.

These details, which were discussed following a meeting of the four kirk sessions which will be uniting, will be finalised once approved by each congregation.