A CAMPAIGN to save a closure-threatened Greenock sports centre has received huge public backing — with more than 1,000 people pledging their support.

People have signed up in their droves to an online Facebook page calling for Ravenscraig Sports Centre in Larkfield to be kept open.

The groundswell came after a group of campaigners launched a bid earlier this week to save the facility.

It was originally due to close at the end of next month as part of council cost-cutting proposals but has been spared the axe while a feasibility study is completed.

In just a few hours, hundreds joined the ‘Save Ravenscraig Recreation Centre’ page and that number quickly grew.

Chris Larkin was one of the 1,300-plus people to join the campaign.

He said: “This is an extremely well used leisure facility.

“In the year that the Commonwealth Games return to Scotland we should be promoting such facilities and investing in them.

“This facility is needed within this area of Greenock and we should let our feelings be known.” The Telegraph revealed this week that around £600,000 is required for repairs to Ravenscraig and its long-term future looks bleak.

But concerned residents and centre users flocked to the Facebook campaign page to say the local facility must be kept open.

Gourock woman Marion McInnes regularly uses the facilities at Ravenscraig and attends keep-fit classes there.

She says it is a valuable resource for the people of Larkfield and beyond.

Marion said: “Closure would result in no Inverclyde Leisure facility with group fitness classes for people in Gourock, Wemyss Bay, Inverkip and Larkfield and means having to travel to Greenock.

“It doesn’t make sense, they should be investing in a bigger range of classes in this location, not closing.

“I’ve used it for the last 20 years and prefer it due to handiness and space.

“It would be a great loss to the community.”