OVER-50s are getting their kicks out of a new walking football programme in Greenock.

Morton in the Community are running weekly sessions at Lady Octavia Sports Centre following the success of the scheme at Inverkip Community Hub.

The free programme is designed to boost activity levels and social interaction among older people.

Coaches launched the Inverkip Friday kickabout last year and it has grown in popularity, with around 16 participants turning up each week.

Now football fans can enjoy a game at 'Lady O' every Monday followed by a cuppa and a biscuit at Cappielow.

Brian McLaughlin, development manager for Morton in the Community, said: "The best thing about it is that participants get confidence to move again and realise they can do it.

"The walking makes it a level playing field.

"If they run it's a foul and the other team get the ball for a free-kick.

"The social element for me is bigger than the football because it's getting people out the house and talking about the game - I still play football myself and that's as big a part of it than actually playing.

"Immediately people make friendships and do other things.

"The guys at Inverkip are now out walking together and doing other stuff."

The Greenock sessions are being run in partnership with Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), Your Voice and CVS Inverclyde.

Local councillor and amateur football referee, Jim McEleny, is one of the newcomers taking part.

He said: "It's ideal for me because I had both my knees replaced in 2010 and was told that walking, swimming and so on is fine but no running.

"This allows me to stay involved in football and, apart from following Morton, this is the only team scenario I'm involved in so it's good to be part of it."

Games will be played inside or outside, depending on the weather and community coach Gemma Stewart is looking forward to seeing new faces in Greenock.

She said: "I've loved being part of it in Inverkip and the social element to the programme is amazing, there's a lot of banter between the players."

Sessions run every Monday from 1-2pm at Lady Octavia and between 1pm and 2.30pm on Fridays at Inverkip Community Hub.

To sign up call 731949.