A THRIVING Greenock firm aims to double its workforce after landing contracts worth £500,000.

Caskie Ltd has started work to demolish rundown properties in Larkfield's Cumberland Walk and tenements in Drumfrochar Road on behalf of River Clyde Homes.

Work is also under way to strip out the buildings prior to demolition.

Owner Euan Caskie said: "The two projects are running in parallel at the moment.

"We are doing the initial soft strip-out in the building, then the machine demolition.

"More than half the workforce is local and we are Greenock based.

"Quality is our unique selling point.

"We intend to double our workforce within the next year.

Mr Caskie founded the company 15 years ago and currently employs 16 staff, with more than half of them local residents.

He cites the company's success on high-quality service and professionalism.

He said: "Councils are always looking for best value but sometimes the cheapest contractors don't always provide best value."

The firm has also dealt with other high-profile contracts including the former Mearns Centre and Dalrymple House social work buildings.

Their expertise was also needed when a fire ripped through AP Jess meat factory last year on the A8 in Port Glasgow Road last year.

Mr Caskie said: "This was quite a complicated project due to the proximity to the main road.

"Inverclyde Council took the decision to close the road.

"We were under pressure to get the building demolished and make it safe.

"We had two days to complete the main demolition."

Mr Caskie says the future looks bright for the company and is doing its bit to create jobs.

He said: "We are constantly growing, investing in new equipment and bringing in new orders."