IRVINE will have festive lights this Christmas - but, sadly, there will be no official switch-on event.

North Ayrshire Council announced earlier this year there would be no budget to fund festive lights across the area's towns in 2024.

But thankfully, Irvine Community Council took on ownership of the existing lights.

And Ayrshire construction firm Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd made a generous donation to cover the costs of this year’s display. 

However, due to costs and a lack of volunteers, the community council have announced there would be no official ceremony for the switch on.

Instead, they have urged residents to join the light parade from Cunninghame House on November 29, which will culminate in the opening of the Scottish Maritime Museum's festive market.

An Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd spokesperson said: “We are delighted to support Irvine Community Council with the town’s Christmas light display this year.

“As a local employer with many of our staff and operatives based in the area, we all look forward to the lights being switched on and the town lit up for the festive period. 

“We have been active in and around Irvine for many years and, with works soon to commence on the new affordable housing site on the grounds of the former Ayrshire Central Hospital, this was a great opportunity for us to give something back to the community.” 

Irvine Community Council chair, Chris Pless, thanked the company and said: “We’re delighted to welcome the donation from Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd as it had looked very much like there would not be any display at all this year. 

“Whilst this year’s display will be modest, we hope that we can look to the future and are actively exploring options for 2025 and beyond.”

A spokesperson for Irvine Community Council later confirmed: "Unfortunately, due to additional costs and a lack of volunteers we're not running any official Christmas event/light switch on event.

"Our funding just about covered the installation and maintenance of the lights themselves.

"This year the lights will be turned on from November 29 but there is no official switch ceremony on, sadly.

"If you are looking for events to bring in the festive period our friends at the Scottish Maritime Museum along with North Ayrshire Council are running a light parade from Cunninghame House on the evening of the November 29 culminating in the opening of their Christmas markets."

To find out more about the market events, visit here.