A PUBLIC consultation has been launched to help develop a new memorial in honour of all the local people who died as a result of coronavirus or been affected by the pandemic.

RIG Arts has launched the Remembering Together Inverclyde survey as it gathers ideas for the public tribute.

A garden, an event, festival, artwork, book or songs have been mooted as possible options but RIG say the memorial must be led by the local community.

It is part of a wider initiative which is being funded by the Scottish Government through Greenspace Scotland.

Karen Orr, of Rig, said: "It is not a memorial in a traditional sense, it will be artists working with local people and looking at different options.

"We want to open up a conversation.

"It could be a garden or a walk to bring people together.

"We want to give everyone the opportunity to have their say, for this to be a true reflection of what it was like during Covid."

Karen says the project will also aim to raise awareness of people suffering from long Covid.

It will also try to capture the positive sense of community spirit which emerged during the pandemic.

Three artists - Carolan McPherson, Samantha MacGregor and Seamus Killick - will deliver the memorial.

Karen said: "I think everyone agrees that the community spirit shown here at the time was just amazing."

Carolan, a graphic designer, was working in Tesco when the pandemic hit.

She said: "Restrictions were in place and shelves were half empty, some people's tempers were frayed.

"But people, off their own back, were asking others what they needed and getting food or whatever they required."

Samantha ran workshops for children during the pandemic.

She said: "I felt that working parents had a lot on their plate, with working at home and doing home schooling."

To take part in the memorial survey visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/T3T72PT

Pictured from left to right, main image, are Carolan, Karen and Samantha.