A team of walking football stars are set to represent Ayr United on the international stage. 

Fifteen players from the over 50s and over 60s squads of the Ayr United Football Academy will fly to Vilamoura later this month for the ninth Algarve Walking Football Cup. 

The club's walking football programme started back in 2015, and the Honest Men have sent teams to the Algarve almost every year since. 

Final preparations are now underway with intense training sessions at Whitletts, before jetting out to Portugal in a few weeks. 

Player Scott Campbell explained: "Around six sessions are held each week across Ayr and Troon, with anywhere from 120 to 150 players taking part. 

"It is mostly for 50 and over players but we do get some younger who come along to benefit their mental health or who have disabilities. 

"We play games against other clubs across the West of Scotland in a league format, as well as a few cup competitions. 

"We have four different age group teams competing in the games, which mostly take place in Glasgow. Obviously we all love football but a big part of it is the social side, to get older people out, active and meeting new friends."

Scott says the players are all looking forward to the tournament, with the squad hoping to make the most of the experience. 

He said: "It's one of the biggest tournaments abroad and has been running for around nine years. We have sent out a team pretty much every year. There are 16 teams in each section and you play a good number of games. 

"It's a fantastic bonding experience for all the guys. The tournament takes place from September 27-28, but we're going for a week to really savour it.

"We did really well last year getting to the semi-finals, and I think the squad is strong again so I fancy our chances."

The Ayr United team heading out is Davie Howie, Stevie Galloway, Derek King, Andy McPhee, Keith Stewart, Scott Campbell, George Robertson, Chic Lochery, Calum Campbell, Hugh McKay, Davie Reid, Jim McPherson, Billy Agnew, Latif Silavi and Stuart Galloway.