Iceland's new bulk buy supermarket the Food Warehouse is due to open in Ayr this year.

The store could create between 20 to 30 jobs, a council meeting heard this week.

The retail giant was granted a provisional premises licence at the South Ayrshire Council Licensing board meeting.

The food giant plans to move into the old Homebase shop at the Heathfield Retail Park.

It offers bulk buying and more choice -selling fresh, chilled, canned as well as frozen foods along with other goods.

It has been compared to a cash and carry without the need for membership.

Vacancies for the Heathfield store including manager and deputy manager have been advertised.

Solicitor Michael McDougall said the venture would create from 25 to 30 new jobs.

He said: "This will be the first Food Warehouse in South Ayrshire. It is a relatively new concept for Iceland."

He said it sells far more than the frozen food offered by Iceland.

He pointed out there are eight stores already in Scotland and others in England and Wales - proving a success with customers.

After the meeting Mr McDougall confirmed there are hopes it could open its doors by the autumn.

Food Warehouse was granted permission to sell alcohol seven days a week from 10am to 10pm. It will have an alcohol display area of 17.6 square metres.

There were no objections.

A report from the South Ayrshire Council licensing clerk said it is an "application for a premises licence for a retail supermarket type premises providing customers with a wide range of foodstuffs, goods and other services including the sale of alcoholic products for off sales only."

The Food Warehouse was formed in 2014.