Emergency services are preparing to stand down at the former Ayr Station Hotel building following the major fire at the site this week.

Firefighters rushed to the scene after the first 999 call reporting the blaze at around 5.30pm on Monday, September 25.

Three teenagers - two aged 13 and one aged 17 - have been arrested and charged in connection with the fire, while several roads around the site have been closed.

On Wednesday, South Ayrshire Council's leader, Martin Dowey, said the authority was awaiting guidance from the emergency services on when it would be safe for officials to assess the safety of the structure. 

A council spokesperson said on Thursday: "The site will be handed over to South Ayrshire ouncil today to allow our building standards team to begin to carry out safety works.

"Fencing will be erected around the site to create a secure compound for the duration of the safety works.

"It’s too early to say how long these works will last for, and a further update when more information becomes available.

"Twenty-four hour security will be in place at the site.

"We anticipate that more roads around the site will be able to re-open from today and we’ll issue information about this when we know more."

Ayr railway station and the rail line through the town have been closed since the fire broke out, but ScotRail began running services between Glasgow Central and Prestwick Town on Wednesday, having previously been restricted to operating between Glasgow and Irvine.

Replacement buses are operating between Ayr and Prestwick and between Barassie and Prestwick.