COASTWATCH have vowed to stay put with their takeover of the Irvine beach toilets.

The charity last week opted to continue discussions with North Ayrshire Council on the issue after previously failing in a bid for funding.

But this week, the group's chair says the funding talks have taken a positive turn as they hope to obtain a full-time development officer to oversee proceedings.

Billy Lamb voiced his displeasure to the Times last week about the way their Community Asset Transfer of the toilets  – saved from the axe at the 11th hour – had been handled.

Coastwatch have been offered new funding from a charitable trust but say they need to match fund the amount from another trust to make the project work.

The council initially planned to close the toilets as part of this year’s budget but after a huge public outcry, Coastwatch stepped in to save them.

Coastwatch’s original plans would not only see the toilets kept open, but the charity would also use the block as an extra office base as renovations continue on the Pilot House.

But they say additional funding and support from NAC is critical to the future development of the toilets.

The council, however, insist that funding for the project was never guaranteed.

An Extraordinary General Meeting of Coastwatch volunteers was held at The Gate in Fullarton on Wednesday, September 28.

Speaking after the meeting, Billy said: "We're now looking specifically at getting the finance for a full-time officer.

"We've got part of the funding but the council are now working with us to get the second part of the match funding.

"I'm fairly confident that will happen now. If we don't get the funding we don't think we will be able to get someone to be there all the time.

"We're taking on two buildings, that's a lot for a volunteer group, and we really need someone that's going to be there to help the development of the toilets, the Pilot House and Coastwatch as a whole."

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said last week: “Earlier this year, we agreed to transfer the Pilot House, and toilet accommodation at Irvine beach, to Coastwatch Scotland, under our Community Asset Transfer programme.

“This transfer allows the group to develop proposals and funding bids to restore the Pilot House to public use as a coastal education and environmental centre and, in addition, the group would also continue to provide public access to the nearby toilet accommodation and make use of the facility for storage and meetings.

“The transfer does not include funding for any post and no such funding agreement was made. We did, however, offer to help Coastwatch seek third-party funding for a development officer and Coastwatch approved a funding application which has been submitted.

“We have been working closely with Coastwatch over the transfer of the Pilot House and the public toilets and will continue to offer advice and support in any way we can."