The man who held Irvine’s parliamentary seat for 23 years says he has every confidence in Labour’s two young candidates.

Last week Labour announced Nairn McDonald would fight the Central Ayrshire seat, with 18-year-old Christopher Rimicans battling in North Ayrshire.

And former Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe said Labour have every chance of taking his old seat back.

Mr Donohoe said: “They’re young boys and they’ve got a lot to learn but it’ll be a good experience and it’s something they’ll always remember.

“The learning curve will be quite steep and they’ll be challenges, but it’ll do them no harm.

He added: “It’s not like putting a 15-year-old on the field at an Old Firm game, I’ve every confidence in them not having that problem.  “Just as we peaked over a long period of time I think the SNP have peaked and there’s only one direction they can go after that.

“Who knows exactly what will happen in this general election, but I predict the SNP will lose at least 10 seats”

Speaking after his selection, Nairn McDonald said: “I am deeply honoured to have been selected to fight the Central Ayrshire constituency for Labour.

“In 2015 local people gave the SNP a chance. They believed them when they said they were ‘Stronger for Scotland’ but all we ended up with was a Tory Government.  “The fact is that voters at this election will face a clear choice between a Tory Government that will work for the rich or a Labour Government that will work for the many.”