The First Minister joined the campaign trail in Kilmarnock and Loudoun to support Alan Brown's re-election bid as MP for the area.

John Swinney joined SNP activists at East Ayrshire Council’s new housing estate on Witch Road to endorse the party’s candidate for the upcoming General Election.

Mr Swinney praised the local authority’s commitment to building more affordable homes in the council district. 

Mr Brown was elected as MP for the constituency in 2015 and retained the seat in 2017 and 2019.

Also contesting Kilmarnock and Loudoun at the upcoming election are Lillian Jones for Scottish Labour and Jordan Cowie for the Scottish Conservatives.

Mr Brown is now aiming to become the first person to win a fourth Westminster term representing the constituency, which stretches from Lugton in the north to Auchinleck and Muirkirk in the south-east.

Alan said: "I was delighted to welcome the First Minister to my constituency on Monday ahead of July’s General Election.

"It was reassuring to hear his support for me as the SNP candidate for Kilmarnock and Loudoun and the trust he placed in both myself and our dedicated volunteers."

First Minister John Swinney added: “I’m delighted to be in Kilmarnock supporting our excellent candidate, Alan Brown.

"This is taking place in a new social housing development put in place by East Ayrshire Council – investing in housing and communities of Kilmarnock and Loudoun."