A councillor has shared her disgust following a horrifying discovery at a local play park.

Earlier this week, what is understood to be human excrement was found within one of the pieces of equipment at the Winton Circus playpark in Saltcoats.

The disgusting mess was discovered by a six-year-old child who had been taken by a parent to use the park facilities.

The matter was reported to North Ayrshire Council so that a clean-up could be arranged.

It is an incident which has incensed Saltcoats and Stevenston councillor Jean McClung, who worked alongside and supported the volunteer group that helped bring the park back to life.

In the summer of 2022, the Winton Circus playpark was opened once again after the tireless work of the Saltcoats Active Lifestyle Team (SALT) to revamp the facilities.

Councillor McClung said: "I am disgusted by this. The SALT team worked tirelessly to provide the town with this wonderful new play facility, and it is sad and disheartening to think anyone would treat it with such disrespect.

"Fortunately, we will soon have CCTV cameras in operation in the area - again through the efforts of SALT.

"Hopefully these will act as a deterrent and prevent a recurrence of such anti-social behaviour."

While a North Ayrshire Council spokesperson added: “Our play facilities team identified the issue this morning and notified Streetscene officers who attended immediately to clean up.

"The area is now free from waste and ready for use.”