Irvine's former tax office has finally been transformed into a state-of-the art Early Years Centre.

Final preparations are being made for Marress House to open its doors on Tuesday, August 20 and welcome the first intake of children.

Marress House was due to be up and running in April 2022, but significant contractor delays stalled the opening of the facility.

Work on the £3.82 million nursery - in Irvine's former tax office, opposite North Ayrshire Council's own HQ - began back in May 2021.

The play space and gardensThe play space and gardens (Image: NAC)

The opening date was later pushed back to January 2023 when the council revealed the centre was facing "construction issues".

Another delay was then announced, with the opening date pushed back to the start of the new school year in August 2023.

But just five days before it was due to welcome children through the doors, the council admitted that that deadline would also be missed due to "building defects".

Now, finally, it's good new for the families who have been waiting to send their wee ones to the centre.

The play roomThe play room (Image: NAC)

The facility, in the grounds of North Ayrshire Council’s Cunninghame House headquarters, will also be home to the council’s Public CCTV and Concierge Service in a separate part of the building.

It also has a training suite, which will be used to enhance the skillset of the Early Years workforce across the authority.

Head of Centre Deborah Gott said: “My team and I are really looking forward to welcoming the children to this fantastic, well-equipped centre.

“We are delighted that all the boxes are beginning to be unpacked, and we can’t wait to settle the children in and get to work on offering them a wonderful setting to learn in, enjoy new experiences and make friends.”