Controversial plans for a new dog breeding business have been denied after protests by the local community.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside East Ayrshire Council's headquarters in Kilmarnock in opposition to what they have dubbed the "puppy farm".

The council made the decision after hours of deliberations at a meeting on Friday, which was closed to the media and the public.

Hazel Hunter applied for a licence to breed dogs on New Intax Farm near Galston in 2015.

In October that year, a planning application was accepted for the premises to be turned into a dog breeding and sales business, with 18 kennels to be built inside the farm and dogs being transported to customers.

The facility was reportedly intended to house up to 40 dogs which would be reared and sold at a profit.

In a statement, a spokesman for East Ayrshire Council said: "Today the East Ayrshire Licensing Panel met to consider an application for a dog breeding or rearing establishment licence in respect of premises at New Intax Farm, Newmilns.

"The panel has decided to refuse the application and will not be making further comment, mindful that the matter may now be subject to an appeal to the sheriff."

The protest was organised by Katie's Cradle horse sanctuary, which said the proposed business could exacerbate problems related to dog overbreeding.

Protesters also argued such facilities often keep the dogs in poor conditions without properly socialising or vaccinating them.

A public petition against the proposals gathered nearly 20,000 signatures late last year.