A CLIMATE change study has revealed that multiple areas of the Ayrshire coastline could be underwater by the end of the next decade.

As the Met Office releases its annual look at UK climate and weather for 2021, it has revealed how our perceptions of climate change have changed as trends show that sea levels are rising faster than ever.

Despite ‘unremarkable’ weather in 2021, it would have been one of the hottest years prior to 1990.

The underwater climate change study has been conducted by Climate Central, an independent organisation of leading scientists and journalists who research climate change and its impact on the public.

Current projections were used by the organisation to produce a map showing which areas would be underwater by 2040.

The map gives an in-depth look at areas across the country, showing the specific effects climate change could have.

The worst affected areas are of course those with coastal fronts and sharing banks with rivers.

Much of Ayr is lost to flooding in this prediction, with the coastal line receding further inland.

This will see the loss of the Esplanade, Blackburn Drive and several other locations near the shore.

In North Ayrshire, parts of Irvine, Saltcoats and Ardrossan will be lost to the waters, according to the study.

However, Climate Central admits the calculations that have led to fears of a nightmare scenario include “some error”.

It says: “These maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error. These maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk.”

Climate Central adds: “Our approach makes it easy to map any scenario quickly and reflects threats from permanent future sea-level rise well.

“However, the accuracy drops when assessing risks from extreme flood events.”