COUNCIL chiefs have scrapped the annual Provost’s awards dinner – the Herald can reveal.

The Provost’s Civic Pride Awards, which shines a spotlight on community champions across North Ayrshire, will no longer be happening with the red carpet rolled out for the last time back in March at The Portal.

Council chiefs remain tight-lipped on the exact reason for deciding to drop the event – which cost £11,250 this year with £10,144 raised for Cash for Kids and The Ayrshire Hospice.

But despite the big glittering gala dinner being ditched, Provost Ian Clarkson told the Herald plans to celebrate local legends across North Ayrshire in a different format are to be finalised for next year.

Provost Ian Clarkson said: “I’ve been incredibly proud and honoured to have hosted three really successful events.

“We are now just considering different ways of recognising local people and looking at ways we can reward more individuals and groups within their own community.

“While there will not be the big one-off Provosts Award, we will still be celebrating our community champions and that, for me, is hugely important.

“We haven’t yet finalised how we are going to do this but it is likely that we will host smaller events within our six localities across North Ayrshire. I’m very excited about the plans and will share the full details when we have them.”

The final Provost’s Civic Pride awards event shone a spotlight on some tremendous talent across North Ayrshire – including Irvine Clean-up Crew, Freckfest and Lauren Caldwell and Brogan Morrison of Kilwinning Academy Active Schools team.

In 2016 the council spent £12,100 on the big night while also raising £20,883 for charity, while in 2017 £11,350 was spent with £17,801 raised for charity. In 2018 £13,750 was spent on the big night with £19,291 charity funds raised.

This year while £10,144 was raised for the two chosen charities, £11,250 was spent on the event. North Ayrshire Council say the Civic Pride Awards raised £164,000 for charity in nine years.