TWO teenagers have been charged following an alleged attempted break-in at a derelict Irvine church building.

St Andrew's church has been out of use for over three years now.

The building, on Elmbank Terrace, originally closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, though when other churches were able to welcome worshippers once again, St Andrew's church remained closed due to health and safety issues.

And in recent weeks, concerns have been brought to the Times of increased anti-social behaviour by groups of youths around the empty building.

One concerned local claimed: "It hasn’t been used for over two years, the grounds are a disgrace used for dumping, kids are lighting fires, climbing on the roof.

"People’s gardens and cars are getting abused at night when kids drink in it."

They also told of how, on Tuesday (June 20), this culminated with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) being called to "apprehend two boys" who were allegedly trying to break into the building.

And Police Scotland confirmed this to be the case - and that two teens had been charged for an attempted break-in.

A force spokesperson said: "Around 12.40pm on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 officers were called to a report of an attempted break-in to a building on Elmbank Terrace, Irvine.

"Two boys aged 13 and 14-years-old have been charged and will be reported to the youth justice authorities."

While a SFRS spokesperson added: "We were requested at 12.55pm on Tuesday, June 20, to assist our emergency service partners at a site in Irvine.

"Operations Control mobilised one appliance to the town's Elmbank Terrace, where firefighters assisted their partners before leaving the scene."