A FATHER and son duo from Greenock are standing for election to Inverclyde Council.

Local SNP group leader Chris McEleny, 30, and his dad Jim, 56, are both on the ballot slip for the party in the May 4 poll.

Chris, who has been a councillor since 2012, is seeking re-election in Gourock – ward five – while his father is standing for the first time and is hoping to become an elected member for the new ward three, which covers the east end of Greenock out to Broomhill and Overton where he lives with his family.

It is believed to be the first time a father and son have both stood for election in Inverclyde Council history.

While Jim is following his son into politics, Chris says it is a bit of a role reversal.

He told the Tele: “We are both time-served electricians, so there’s been the odd ‘McEleny and son’ joke.

"Over the years I think I followed my dad into every walk of life possible, whether it was being a goalkeeper, serving an apprenticeship at the same place nearly 30 years apart, and of course, in the trade union movement.

“I am really delighted he is now hoping to follow me into politics.

“Over the years his advice has been invaluable and I think his experience would be really good, not just for the people he would represent but actually within the council helping to deliver the ambitious programme the SNP have to invest in education, protect vital public services and work towards solutions for problems our area still has.”

Chris has been leader of the council opposition group since 2013, and last year made an ambitious bid to become his party’s deputy leader.

Despite losing out to Angus Robertson, the Gourock councillor was praised for his campaign and it led to him taking a seat on the SNP’s ruling executive.

Dad Jim has been a public servant for his entire working career and is also a volunteer.

The father-of-four is married to Marie, who works for a well known local charity, and the couple have two grandchildren.

He said: “First and foremost my motivation is to play my part in helping improve my community and Inverclyde for the better.

"For most of my working life I have been a trade union representative.

“Helping people to protect their working conditions and representing them in the workplace has always been a vocation to me.

“I believe this and my experience as a listening volunteer in a locally-based national charity have equipped me with the experience that I can use to represent people in Greenock well.”