Pupils at Carrick and Girvan Academies will have their own counsellors at school.

The new counselling service was signed off at the South Ayrshire Council Leadership Panel on Tuesday. 

The move comes as anxiety and depression increases among teens. 

Maybole councillor William Grant said there is a need for mental health services as a report on the new service was presented to politicians. 

Speaking at the meeting, he said: “It is very good that it is coming to Carrick Academy and Girvan Academy. 

“I have nothing but praise for this and totally recommend this report.”

The William Grant Foundation along with other charities has helped provide funding for the £150,000 scheme, which will run for three years.

If successful the council will step in and pay for it  for another five.

The South Ayrshire Youth Forum found there was concern about lack of help for children with mental health issues in rural areas.

As a result the  Carrick and Girvan  community learning and development team leader looked at how the counselling service could be established. And the William Grant Foundation agreed to find funding. 

The counsellors assigned to the schools  work for the charity Place2Be.

The Scottish Government plans to spend £12 million on counselling for schools but it is unknown how much South Ayrshire will get.