ENTHUSIASTIC eco-warriors from Gourock swapped the classroom for the coast as they went on a mission to clean up one of Inverclyde’s best-known beauty spots.

A small army of pupils and staff from Gourock Primary joined parents on a trip to the seaside to Lunderston Bay.

But there were no buckets or spades in sight.

Instead the hardy group went to the beach armed with litter-pickers and bin bags to remove rubbish and debris.

The clean-up was dreamt up by pupils keen to pitch in and do their bit for the community.

Two pupils from each of the school’s nine classes joined parents and teachers at the beach and they all rolled up their sleeves to make the bay look beautiful.

They were assisted by rangers from Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, which looks after Lunderston Bay.

Gourock Primary P2/1 class teacher Kirsty McCready hopes the clean-up will become a regular event in the school calendar.

Miss McCready said: “We haven’t had a litter pick at the beach before but we have had community litter picks.

“The aim of this is to work towards adopting Lunderston Bay as a beach we would look after along with the Clyde Muirshiel ranger service and we are really thankful to them.
“This was the first time we did a clean-up there and we hope to make it a regular thing for the school.”
Miss McCready, the school’s eco group leader, says the litter pick will also help Gourock Primary towards a second ‘green flag’ in recognition of their commitment to improving the environment.

She said: “Myself and the children worked together to develop ideas on how we can make our community litter free and this idea came from the kids.

“They are really good with their suggestions and they go home and speak to their parents to try and develop their own ideas. I’m delighted they are showing that caring side.

“We want them to be effective contributors to the community, which is part of the curriculum for excellence.

“This also helps with the eco side of things and towards our second green flag.
“We’ve already achieved one and now we’re working towards our second.”