Pub bosses at the Carrick in Irvine have been given permission for an outside drinking area.

Owners of the town centre pub had an occasional licence granted in June for the pavement cafe and there had been no issues reported since then.

They put forward a proposal to add an outdoor drinking area on the front pavement to Monday’s meeting of the Licensing Board.

Pub bosses also asked for a 10am licence for the outdoor facility and to increase the capacity to 408, with  58 outside.

Councillor Jean McClung said the pavement cafe was close to the bus stop. However applicants said the pavement access was more than adequate for the tables and chairs.

Since tables and chairs had gone up there had been more issues with people driving their cars on to the pavement than with pedestrians sitting outside the pub, business representatives said.

They agreed to grant the outdoor drinking area and increase the capacity by 10 to 26.

Last orders will be at 10pm since there had been no issues since the occasional licence was granted.

However Licensing Board members agreed to arrange a visit to the  outdoor area to ensure all was in order.