Flood prevention plans worth £26 million could be rolled out in East Ayrshire.

A flood scheme study has been taking place to make sure areas worst affected are protected from deluge.

A firm called RPS (Ireland) were hired to carry out the assessment work after major flooding hit East Ayrshire in December, 2014.

The company built a flood model which was approved by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) according to a paper presented to councillors at Cabinet last week.

Council bosses are hoping to secure grant funding to pour £26m into flood defences in the area.

East Ayrshire Council leader Douglas Reid (SNP) said the aim was to stop properties flooding.

He said: “There is a cost to doing this. There is the cost of doing nothing.”

Councillor Reid added: “We need to continue to lobby for funds. Doing nothing is not an option for us.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Jim Roberts said: “A large area of the centre of Kilmarnock is identified on the flood plain.”

Councillors approved steps to take the flood plans forward at the Cabinet meeting.