The centenary of the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of Royal British Legion Scotland has been hailed at Westminster.

In an early day motion, North Ayrshire & Arran MP Patricia Gibson urged Parliament to congratulate the Three Towns branch on their 100th birthday.

The occasion will be marked at an event in Ardrossan Civic Centre on Saturday, April 13, featuring the Scottish Military Wives Choir.

The branch was formed in April 1924, just a few years after the end of the Great War.

The MP's motion begins: "That this House congratulates the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland on its 100th anniversary."

It then descibes how the branch formed at Ardrossan Civic Centre, then called the Castlecraigs, on April 10, 1924, at a time when servicemen and ex servicemen, having experienced the horrors of the Great War, had no outlet in which to safely share experiences.

The branch assists veterans in the Three Towns area and beyond and also organises the annual Remembrance parades and services for Holocaust Day, D-Day, Armed Forces Day and the annual HMS Dasher service, remembering the naval disaster off the coast of Ardrossan in 1943.

Read more: https://www.ardrossanherald.com/news/24166576.hms-dasher-memorial-service-set-three-towns-month/

This year's Dasher memorial service will take place this weekend.

Ms Gibson's motion concludes that the House "wishes everyone involved with the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland the very best for the future".

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The motion sent to Parliament

In a letter to the local Legion president Paul Coffey, Ms Gibson added her own congratulations to the branch members.

She said: "I wish to congratulate the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland on its 100th anniversary and the impressive work to support veterans throughout the Three Towns and beyond.

"I pay tribute to the branch's commitment to assisting our veterans and organising various events and services over the years.

"In recognition of this significant milestone, I have tabled an Early Day Motion at Westminster. Early Day Motions allow MPS to draw the attention of Parliament to a particular event or cause or indeed the achievements of local peope.

"I wish the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland the very best in its ongoing support for local veterans and for the future."

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The West of Scotland Military Wives Choir

The West of Scotland Military Wives choir, based in Helensburgh, will top the bill at the Legion's centenary celebration on April 13, and there will also be music by JJ Stone.

The big night kicks off at 7pm and throughout the evening there will be special raffles, while a buffet will also be provided.

Tickets cost £10, and bookings for tables of six are available on request.

Tickets are now available from Legion branch members or by booking through Eventbrite at tinyurl.com/3townslegionconcert.