Major works are taking place on a key route between North Ayrshire and Glasgow in December - including a full weekend closure. 

Amey is undertaking two phases of essential resurfacing on the A737 from Friday, December 8 to Friday, December 22.

The first phase of works will take place south of Howwood between Townhead of Risk and Belltrees Road, and will see a full weekend closure from December 8-11 and then three overnight road closures.

The second phase of works will take place between the Roadhead roundabout and Clerksbridge Toll roundabout, south of Lochwinnoch, and will be completed with overnight road closures.

The first phase, south of Howwood, will take place from 8pm on Friday, December 8 until 6am on Monday, December 11, then from Monday, December 11 until Thursday, December 14 between 8pm and 6am each night.

A lengthy diversion will be in operation, with southbound traffic directed off the A737 at the Linclive Interchange to the A761 at Ferguslie into Paisley, then the A726 as far as Nitshill, the B773 to Barrhead, the A736 to Lugton and then the B777 to Beith, to rejoin the A737.

Northbound traffic will be directed follow the same route in reverse.

The second phase of the work south of Lochwinnoch will take place for two nights between Thursday, December 14 and Saturday, December 16, between 8pm and 6am each night.

Work will then take place for a further four nights between Monday, December 18 and Friday, December 22, again between 8pm and 6am each night.

A signed diversion will be in place and will be identical to the one outlined for phase one.

Access for emergency service vehicles will be maintained throughout these works.

Trunk road maintenance firm Amey says the scheme will benefit around 21,500 vehicles using the route each day, by reducing the need for more extensive maintenance in the future.