Demolition of the popular Railway Hotel in Auchinleck has started.

After closing back in 2020, the building has been empty ever since - with the harsh weather causing damage to the interior of the building.

A once-popular venue for weddings, birthday parties and dinners, the hotel closed its doors for good in September 2020.

Cumnock Chronicle:

The closure happened very suddenly at the time, with staff being made aware of the decision one week, and the hotel closing the next.

Punters were keen to see the building brought back to life and used in some capacity.

READ MORE: Here's what YOU decided should happen to the empty Railway Hotel building

Maybole-based company, J.B. Black are in charge of the demolition, with work officially starting on Tuesday.

Cumnock Chronicle:

It's thought demolition work could last for a few weeks, with the weather playing its part in deciding the exact timescale for the completion of the work.

Fencing has been erected around the building, with no further closures of pavements or roads currently deemed necessary.

No decision has yet been made on a future for the land once demolition is complete and the site has been cleared.