HOUSING association staff showed a stroke of genius by swapping their normal jobs to help redecorate Ardgowan Hospice.

River Clyde Homes employees were given time off work to spruce up the in-patient building on Nelson Street.

Greenock's B&M store and B&Q in Port Glasgow also helped out by donating paint and accessories.

Staff from RCH - Inverclyde's largest social housing landlord - got involved through the organisation's working in neighbourhoods (WIN) scheme, which allows workers to take two days a year to help a worthy cause.

Among those lending a hand this week were governance officer Anne Ross, financial wellbeing officer Alexis Gault, Debbie Tracey, from the IT department, and environmental staff William Mearns and Barry Doolan.

William said: "As soon as we were asked to do this we said 'yes'.

"It's for a great cause, nobody would say no to the hospice."

Another group of hard-working volunteers carried on redecorating rooms and corridors.

Staff nurse Annemarie Crawley said: "Ardgowan Hospice is a community resource so it's wonderful when the community and local businesses of Inverclyde contribute towards improving our patients' experience.

"We're delighted with the help to make this a really nice environment for patients and families.

"It makes a difference."