Quarriers charity will close Ayrshire school and children's homes
The social care charity Quarriers has confirmed it will close a school and two children's homes in Ayrshire.
A total of 69 jobs are associated with the three sites.
Quarriers said falling demand for places at Seafield School in Ardrossan meant it was no longer financially viable.
The homes, Merton House in Largs and Williamfield in Irvine, will also close as both provide support for children in placements at Seafield.
Alice Drife, the acting chief executive of Quarriers, said: "After carefully considering a number of alternative options for Seafield School in Ardrossan and two children's homes - Merton House in Largs and Williamfield in Irvine - we are reluctantly announcing the closure of the three services.
"We do understand this will be a difficult time for everyone associated with the services.
"However, we have been unable to put Seafield on a sustainable financial footing. As the two children's homes support some children at the school these will sadly also close."
Quarriers said the school will have run up a deficit of more than £400,000 by the end of March. It said it was unable to absorb the losses.
The charity said its policy is to redeploy staff where possible and it would support those currently working at the school and homes to find alternative work.
Ms Drife added: "Quarriers would not have made this decision if there had been a viable alternative."