Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown says we must "step up and reach" out to those in need following the sad passing of local businessman Kevin Finnie.

Tributes have been paid online to the popular business owner following his death at the age of 55.

Kevin's body was discovered at a property in Prestwick on Thursday, and tributes have now flooded in from colleagues across the hospitality industry.

He enjoyed a long career in the hospitality trade, first founding the Treehouse Leisure Group in 1999, which ran The Treehouse in Ayr and Kilmarnock.

He also ran Life Night Club in Kilmarnock and Cafe Bonne in Prestwick. More recently, he ran The Buf in Ayr and Prestwick. 

Siobhian Brown, SNP MSP for Ayr, is now urging people to ask 'are you okay', and look out for those who may be struggling. 

She said: "In the past year, I personally have known three local men who have taken their own lives.

"Through their Facebook pages, their love for their children, family and friends was always evident.

"Through our social media, we all notice posts of friends which seem out of character. I'm guilty of seeing these posts and wondered what is going on and scrolled on.

"I won’t be doing that any longer. We all need to step up and reach out to those that may need it- even if it’s just a ‘are you ok?’ There is help out there.

"There are two suicides a day in Scotland and that is two too many. We can all do our bit and lend support to those we know or feel may be struggling."

Samaritans are available to talk to 24/7 on 116 123, or go to www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you.

Breathing Space Scotland is available on 0800 83 85 87.