A section of Irvine beach was cordoned off after potentially explosive maritime flares were found washed up on the shore.
The devices were discovered by volunteers of Coastwatch Irvine yesterday afternoon who alerted the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.
A quick-response team arrived at the scene, south of Irvine harbour, sealed off the area and carried out a safety assessment.
Four time expired rocket flares and three time expired hand smoke flares were identified, made safe, and removed by the team.
Colleagues at Ayr Coastguard Rescue were then requested to conduct a safe handover for transportation to Girvan Coastguard Station for storage and subsequent disposal.
Maritime distress flares are explosive devices and pose a significant risk, especially when time expired and having spent time in the water. They can be safely disposed of at many marinas and chandlers for a small fee.
A spokesman for Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team said: "We would urge people not to throw time expired pyrotechnics overboard or dump them in bins or anywhere else due to the risks involved – it’s also a criminal offence.
"If you find something along the coast which you think could be a maritime distress flare or ordnance washed up please do not touch or move it, keep well back and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard immediately."
Coastguard Rescue Teams are specially trained and equipped to deal with maritime distress flares and to respond to suspected ordnance along the coast.
