Sand dunes are coming back to Ayr Beach thanks to Christmas trees.
Park rangers appealed for fir tree donations after Christmas to help restore dunes to the shores.
Workers have already hailed the project as a success as dunes begin to form.
The South Ayrshire Ranger Service said: “Christmas trees have accrued a vast amount of sand and some trees are now fully or almost fully covered.
“They will keep accruing sand in the months and years to come and help us keep this precious resource on the beach rather than on car parks or streets.”
Tree branches trap sand, which triggers the formation of dunes.
The pines were placed on a section of the beach near Blackburn car park to capture the sand after donations from the public.
They create a barrier to provide a natural defence against storms and rising sea levels.
The method dramatically cuts the amount of sand blowing away from the beach.
Ayr West councillor Siobhian Brown said: “In the past couple of years there has been a significant amount of beach erosion and sand loss at Ayr Beach and the introduction of sand dunes is the natural barrier to reduce further loss.
“It was great to see the positive community involvement with the Christmas tree project and see the sand dunes developing to create a long-term barrier to protect our beach for the future.”
By Local Democracy Reporter Sarah Hilley
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