The Royal British Legion Scotland's Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch will celebrate their 100th birthday tomorrow (Saturday).

The event will be marked with a parade and remembrance service, followed by a reception and function - and the whole community has been invited to join in.

The local Legion branch was formed in April 1924, just a few years after the end of the Great War.

The parade on April 13 will begin at midday, making its way to St Mary's Church via Saltcoats War Memorial, where the Legion members will pay their respects.

At St Mary's, those who wish to can join Legion members and the community for an inter-denominational service of remembrance and the rededication of the branch.

The national president and national chairman of the Royal British Legion Scotland will be amongst the dignitaries at the service.

Later, there will be light refreshments, sandwiches and soup in the church hall next door.

The climax of the day will be a reception and function in the Ardrossan Civic Centre - the same venue for the first meeting 100 years ago.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: The Scottish Military Wives Choir

The event will start at 7pm and there will be music from the West of Scotland Military Wives Choir, pictured, with a special guest appearance of the Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band.

There will be dancing, food and special raffles, with prizes have been generously donated by individuals and local businesses. 

Tickets cost £10, but earlier this week, the Legion offered free tickets to all Three Towns residents aged 100 and over.

The Legion branch organises the annual memorial to the 379 sailors who died when the aircraft carrier HMS Dasher sank between Ardrossan and Arran after a major internal explosion on March 27, 1943.

Branch president Paul Coffey said: "The British Legion in one form or another has served in, with and for the community, organising, arranging and even funding Remembrance events.

"We have proudly helped with, and organised funerals for fallen comrades.

"Every member of the community, if they can look far enough back into their ancestry, will realise that their family was affected by either WW1 or WW2 and how important the Legion has been to those who served and their families.

"As one veteran stated, ‘what else was there to help us?’.

"All are welcome to join and support us on this ‘once in a lifetime’ event."