NORTH Ayrshire train travellers are facing significant disruption after flooding closed a section of railway line in the area.

ScotRail says trains on the routes between Glasgow, Largs and Ardrossan are not currently operating west of Kilwinning. 

The rail operator says the disruption is due to "heavy flooding" on the railway at Fairlie.

Disruption, delays and cancellations are expected on trains between Glasgow Central and Ardrossan Harbour until 5pm on Wednesday, December 27.

But trains between Largs and Glasgow Central will not run west of Kilwinning for the rest of today - and there is no word yet of any replacement bus services.

It means no trains are currently serving Stevenston, Saltcoats, Ardrossan South Beach, Ardrossan Town, Ardrossan Harbour, West Kilbride, Fairlie and Largs.

As this article was published ScotRail said  they "have not requested rail replacement transport" and will monitor the situation as it develops.

However, ScotRail have now set up ticket acceptance with Stagecoach West Scotland on its 585 bus route between Largs and Irvine.

The rail operator added that if you can wait until tomorrow, December 28, all tickets dated for today will be accepted for travel then.

ScotRail previously warned that journey times on all its Ayrshire coastal lines were likely to be extended because of temporary speed restrictions imposed as a Storm Gerrit safety measure.

Storm Gerrit has caused disruption on many railway lines around Scotland, leading to ScotRail announcing that it has lifted all restrictions on tickets for journeys on December 27.

That means anyone with a ticket only valid for travel today can now use it on Thursday, December 28 without incurring an extra charge.

The latest updates on the situation can be found at www.scotrail.co.uk/.