A total of 1,355 deaths were recorded in Ayrshire during the first quarter of 2024.

419 deaths were recorded in East Ayrshire, with 523 in North Ayrshire and 413 in South Ayrshire.

Statistics from National Records of Scotland show that 16,755 deaths were registered between January and March this year across the country – almost nine per cent lower than the expected number.

In the same period, 11,560 babies were welcomed across Scotland, with 675 of these being born in Ayrshire.

East Ayrshire accounted for 275 of these, with 226 being born in North Ayrshire and 174 in South Ayrshire.