SNP councillors have elected Marie Burns as their group leader ahead of May's local government elections.

The new leader said the SNP will be announcing its candidates shortly, and they will mix experience with new talents.

The Irvine East councillor added that if elected they will show that working with the Scottish Government delivers greater results than fighting against it.

Councillor Burns was revealed as Willie Gibson's successor on Wednesday morning, to lead the groups bid to regain control of the council following the resignation of the SNP administration last year.

Councillor Burns said: “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Irvine East and North Ayrshire for the last five years and I hope to continue to do so following the elections on 4 May. 

“I have now been tasked with leading the SNP group into that election campaign and I do so proud of what we achieved when in administration. That said, there is still a massive amount to do.

"If elected, our focus will be on inclusive economic growth: working to develop the economy of North Ayrshire for the benefit of all of our communities.

“Our previous SNP administration developed the Ayrshire Growth Deal which would transform the Ayrshire economy. The Scottish Government is backing the plan and we now wait for the UK Government to step up to the plate.

“As a result of that initiative I have been invited by the First Minister to join the national Growth Commission with a particular focus on inclusive growth: growing local economies so everyone in the community benefits.

“We will shortly announce our candidates for the Council elections in May. I am excited that we have a strong group of candidates who mix experience with new talents.

"If elected to office we will demonstrate once again that working with the Scottish Government delivers far greater results than fighting against it”.