No chimney sweep listed in Irvine yet.

A chimney sweep cleans flues and chimneys to remove soot, tar and blockages - essential for anyone with an open fire, wood burner or multi-fuel stove.

An annual sweep is recommended for any chimney in regular use and many home insurance policies require it.

Look for a sweep registered with the Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps or HETAS and keep the certificate they issue - your insurer may ask for it.

Irvine is the largest town in North Ayrshire and was designated as Scotland's last new town in 1966, bringing significant expansion to what was already an ancient royal burgh.

The town sits at the mouth of the River Irvine on the Ayrshire coast and has a harbour area, the Scottish Maritime Museum and Irvine Beach Park.

Properties range from traditional stone-built houses in the old town to extensive new-town housing estates, modern developments and a retail park.

Irvine has a full range of services including secondary schools, a leisure centre, a hospital and the Rivergate shopping centre.

The mix of older and new-town housing stock generates steady demand for tradespeople across all building trades, from traditional renovation to modern home improvements.

(opens in new tab)

North Ayrshire is a council area on the Firth of Clyde coast in south-west Scotland, stretching from the resort town of Largs in the north through the Three Towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston to the Garnock Valley inland and the Isle of Arran offshore.

Irvine is the largest town - designated a new town in 1966 - and serves as the administrative centre. Kilwinning, one of the oldest burghs in Ayrshire, lies just to the north, while the Three Towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston run along the coast and retain a traditional seaside character. Largs, at the northern end of the council area, is a popular resort town with views across the Firth of Clyde to Bute and the Cowal peninsula.

The Isle of Arran is one of the jewels of the area. Often called 'Scotland in miniature' for its range of landscapes - from the granite peaks of Goatfell in the north to the gentle farmland of the south - Arran draws walkers, cyclists and visitors throughout the year. The CalMac ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick is the main link to the island.

Inland, the Garnock Valley towns of Kilbirnie, Beith and Dalry have an industrial heritage rooted in iron, steel and textiles. The economy across North Ayrshire has diversified into manufacturing, life sciences and renewable energy, with the coastline and Arran supporting a growing tourism sector.

Transport links include the Ayrshire Coast railway line connecting Largs, Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Irvine to Glasgow Central, the A78 coast road running north to Greenock and south toward Ayr and ferry services from Ardrossan to Arran and from Largs to Great Cumbrae.