INVERCLYDE Music Festival seems set to be saved after a big-hearted banker came to the rescue.

David White, a London-based financier who was born and raised in Greenock, had been saddened after the Tele revealed the historic showcase could come to an end due to a lack of money.

The 66-year-old, who competed at the festival as a child, has stepped in to donate £1,000 to the festival in memory of his beloved mother Moira, who loved and cared about the Greenock community.

Modest David says the only reason he spoke out was to raise more awareness of the festival's plight.

He feels it's important that the annual event flourishes long into the future.

David said: "I was born and brought up in Greenock and my mother was from Greenock and spent her life in the town.

"My mother was born Moira Black and her father ran Blacks of Greenock which went back three or four generations.

"So our family are quite embedded in Greenock and really care about the community particularly my mother.

"Throughout her life she cared a lot about her community."

Moira, who was 92, latterly lived in Kincaid House before she passed away in September 2016.

Throughout her life she was a fundraiser for the RNLI, RSPCC and Oxfam as well as being a Relate counsellor and was a member of the children's panel.

David, who worked as an investment banker before retiring six years ago and becoming a financier, said his mother would be proud that the money she left as a legacy was being used to help the festival, which costs around £25k a year to run.

He added: "Myself and my brothers and sisters feel we should do something for the town.

"When I read the story online about the festival I wanted to help.

"I remember reciting Burns at the festival when I was a child.

"I really enjoyed it and I think that's what started my interest in Burns.

"The festival is wonderful for people's self confidence as it takes a lot to get up, so it's great for personal development.

"It's something that the community does for the community, which I really like.

"And most importantly, it keeps the morale of the town up."

Festival president Isabel Lind says she's so relieved by the donation, which will help to safeguard the future of the event.

She said: "I'm overwhelmed by his generosity and the fact that he himself had taken part in the festival in the Burns class - I was amazed at that.

"It just shows you the power of the Tele.

"The money will make a tremendous difference because what we are hoping to do is start this year without that deficit.

"The deficit has now been halved and David said to be sure we get Gift Aid as well, which was very kind."

Isabel had warned that the historic festival could come to an end within the next three years due to crippling financial pressures.

This year, for the first time ever in its 114-year history, the event ran at a loss of almost £2,000.

Isabel then launched a desperate appeal for Tele readers and local businesses to help.

She said: "A number of people have spoken to me after they saw the story in the Tele.

"I think they were quite shocked.

"We had one other offer of help as Judy Semple from the Clyde Coast Fiddlers has offered to do a concert for us, which was extremely thoughtful."

David, who has two sisters and two brothers, as well as two grown-up children Frances, 30, and Alistair, 28, says Greenock will always hold a special place in his heart.

He said: "I read the Greenock Telegraph online every day.

"I like to keep up-to-date with the news and football as I'm a Morton fan.

"There's a good few of us in London who are Morton fans who meet up occasionally."

Isabel is still keen to hear from anyone else who would like to support the festival.

To make contact email isabellind@icloud.com