Police in Ayrshire have issued a road safety warning to motorists as the annual harvest begins.

Combines are out in force with tractors carting grain and bales throughout the countryside. It means harvest staff and contractors are working long hours, weather permitting.

Officers are encouraging drivers not to take any unnecessary risks overtaking farm traffic when it’s not safe to do so. The machinery will often be turning off into a hard to spot field entrance that you may not see.

They are also reminding people that baled fields aren’t play areas and are a risk to anyone who climbs on them.

Farmers are also being urged to secure any property by removing and locking all keys away.