MSP Katy Clark has called on Scotland's Transport Minister to work with CalMac to improve the capacity on Arran's ferry service this summer.

The West of Scotland Labour member raised ongoing issues with the Ardrossan to Arran service at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

She asked transport minister Fiona Hyslop what action was being taking to support ferry users, in light of reports that MV Caledonian Isles would be out of action for four more months.

Ms Hyslop said: "The delay of the MV Caledonian Isles returning from essential dry docking is regrettable and I recognise the frustration felt by the Arran community as a result.

"I spoke with CalMac's chief executive last week to convey my concern and I have been clear that I expect CalMac to apply the revised route prioritisation matrix, which includes more emphasis on the level of use by island residents and commercial vehicles along with higher prioritisation for routes with limited capacity on alternative services.

"The Arran community and others across the network need those assurances, particularly as we look to the Easter break and beyond.

"Meanwhile Arran is being served by the MV Isle of Arran, with currently no capacity issues being reported."

Ms Clark responded: "As the Cabinet Secretary knows, the Arran route is the busiest service, with islanders, tourism and the winder economy heavily reliant on it.

"The Isle of Arran will not have the capacity needed to provide the service. In her discussions, what has been said about how capacity can be increased on the route as the year progresses?"

Ms Hyslop said: "That was one of the messages I gave CalMac, with regard to capacity issues, particularly for the highly used service to Arran.

"CalMac's activities will include identifying any alternative measures that, during the July August period in particular, might improve capacity for Arran and help support the holiday serasdon."

Later, Ms Clark said: "Ardrossan-Brodick is the busiest service on the entire Clyde and Hebrides ferry network.

“However, it is currently being served by the oldest vessel in the fleet, the MV Isle of Arran, with the MV Caledonian Isles out of action for the next few months, and the only available cover being the MV Alfred running from Troon on a less frequent daily basis.

"The summer is a vital period for the island in terms of tourism and business. That means serious planning needs to be undertaken to ensure capacity is maximised as far as possible.

“I pressed the Transport Minister on this point.

"I welcome that alternative measures are being looked at to ensure additional capacity is available in July-August, and I will continue to press for developments in the weeks to come.”