South Ayrshire Council has issued an urgent warning over a new parking penalty scam in the region.

The local authority, alongside its Trading Standards and Environmental Health team, has teamed up with Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) to warn local drivers of the dangers.

Residents are receiving text messages stating they have been issued with a parking penalty charge notice issued by a local council and to follow a link.

The council is reminding residents that it does not issue parking penalty charge notices by text message.

Any breaches of the parking rules enforced by ARA and South Ayrshire Council will result in the driver receiving a physical penalty charge notice, which will be issued on the vehicle, or to the driver in situ.

Please do not click on any links contained in messages from unknown sources!