KILWINNING witch Bessie Grahame is to be honoured with a street named after her.

Bessie Grahame Court will be one of the streets at the new Taylor Wimpey site, Willow Gardens, just off Dalry Road in the town.

In August 1649, her crime was to use some threatening words to a neighbour. Ten days later the neighbour took ill and died. Bessie found herself imprisoned in the Abbey Tower for 13 weeks.

The Kilwinning Heritage Group has produced a booklet about Bessie’s plight written by member Heather Upfield who nominated Bessie alongside member Dorothy Lynam. In her book, Heather reveals that some records suggest she was put to death by fire on Corsehill Muir.

The other street names in the new housing estate include Longbow Place, Silver Arrow Gardens and Outerwood View.

Other local figures nominated for street names were Scotland goalkeeper the late Sandy McLaughlan and doctors Robert Lynch, Moira Forbes and Stuart McCreadie.

Councillor Donald Reid said: “I am pleased that following a public call out for names it has been agreed to use at least one of the public suggestions with people wanting to maintain the recognition of individuals.”