WORK to recover illegally dumped cars at a Paisley beauty spot is set to get underway. 

Locals were horrified to discover nine cars that had been dumped in the Glenburn Reservoir, telling the Paisley Daily Express last year that the area had become "absolutely stinking."

Teams from Scottish Water are now on the scene doing preparatory work to prepare for the vehicle recovery which the organisation says will be "highly complex."

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It is unclear how the cars got there in the first place, according to the Paisley Daily Express. Local Councillor Stephen Burns told the paper that the reservoir is situated quite a bit away from the nearest car park.

The cars were discovered following routine maintenance work by Scottish Water last summer.

The removal work is set to begin next month. For the duration of the recovery, surrounding footpaths will be closed off to the public and fish in the water will be rescued by Ayrshire Rivers Trust. 

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Project Manager Gerry O’Hara said: “We’ve listened to community concerns about the vehicles being in the water and now is the time to act.

“This is such a delicate and sensitive operation and has been months in the planning to ensure there is as little impact on the environment as possible and that our teams are safe.

“Restrictions are in place for everyone’s safety and we would ask visitors to Gleniffer Braes Country Park to respect all signage around the reservoir while these works are carried out.”