The site of a new superschool campus in East Ayrshire is to be named after Scots author William McIlvanney.

The local council has decided to name the site at Sutherland Drive in Kilmarnock the William McIlvanney Campus, which will host a primary and secondary school.

McIlvanney, author of the Laidlaw trilogy and numerous other Glasgow-based works such as Docherty, The Big Man and The Kiln died at his home in the city on December 5.

The new primary school will be named the James Hamilton Primary School and Early Childhood Centre.

Council leader Douglas Reid proposed the named for the £45m new campus.

He said: said: "I’m delighted we’ve been able to preserve the names of James Hamilton and William McIlvanney in Kilmarnock, who were both passionate about the provision of good education for young people.

"I’m also pleased that we will retain the Kilmarnock Academy name, with its long and distinguished history, on what will be its fourth location in the town since 1807.

"Centralising Gaelic language provision will also offer a springboard to the current plans we have to develop and expand Gaelic culture in East Ayrshire and I hope the new school will become an important focal point for these ambitions.

"The William McIlvanney Campus is a £45m investment and shows we are clearly committed to offering every pupil the very best education possible, inspiring them to succeed in school, further education, at work, in their local communities and in life."