Gigantic bushes labelled an 'eyesore' by a Kilmarnock councillor have been removed from the town centre. 

The large Laurel bushes at the side of the Virgin Bank at Green Street have caused issues in the past, such as trapping litter and blocking traffic lights. 

Councillor Graham Boyd, independent for Kilmarnock East and Hurlford, arranged for the foliage to be removed, which he believes makes a big difference.

He said: "For as long as I can remember there’s been Laurel bushes at the Virgin Bank at Green Street, probably part of the landscaping when the bank was built in the 70s.

"The bushes are long past their best, unkempt, becoming an eyesore litter trap & sometimes obscuring the adjacent traffic light.

"After a litter pick there in the Spring, I thought they had to come out. I established with the support of the head of Clean Green East Ayrshire that the council did not own the space.

"I then approached the manager of the Virgin Bank and established the bank and grounds are owned by a company based in Northern Ireland.

"The property company were easy to work with and were happy to take responsibility and pay for the bushes to be removed.

"This morning Tivoli Group Limited were on site to clear and remove the stumps too.

"The ground will be cleared of litter, rotovated and sown with wild flower seed."