A resident in Sorn feels East Ayrshire Council has not done enough to make residents aware of the law on fire alarms.

From February, every home must have interlinked fire alarms, meaning if one goes off, they all go off, so people will always hear an alarm.

However the man, 58, said he did not know about the new law until his 84-year-old father informed him just before Christmas. He says not enough information has been shared about the help available to deal with cost and installation.

He said: “The major problem is that the old and those who are financially less well off will struggle to meet the cost of £220 if you do it yourself.

“I did a survey of everyone l know in Sorn and Catrine and 99 per cent were unaware of the requirement.

"This law needs to be postponed to allow people more time and offer financial help.”

A council spokesperson said: “We are in the process of making these adaptations to our housing stock, with the majority having already been completed.

"The few remaining properties will be fitted early in the New Year. Guidance is at https://www.mygov.scot/home-fire-safety.”