INVERCLYDE MP Ronnie Cowan is charting a new course as he gets ready to present his own show on a community radio station.

Clyde Coast Radio are training up the SNP politician so that he can take a regular slot in the studio.

Mr Cowan met station founder George Coyle at a recent event and the pair got talking about community radio.

George and the team, who have just celebrated the station's second birthday, are now helping the MP learn everything he needs to know about being a presenter.

Mr Cowan said: "When I met George, he told me all about the station and how it all started with him broadcasting from a room in his fiancée's house.

"I found out about how important the show was for people during lockdown and he invited me up to see the station and find out more about how they do things.

"I'd love to have a show on the station.

"George and I have a mutual love of music.

"I see myself like Clint Eastwood in the film Play Misty for Me, but without the stress!"

The SNP MP says he likes the idea of a show that will involve a bit of listener participation and can't wait to get on air.

Former soldier George, who served in the Royal Artillery from 1983 until 1992, got the station started with help from his now-wife Elizabeth Dixon, his brother Robert Gilmour and his friend Alan Mackie.

A cash injection of £10,000 from the National Lottery paid for all the equipment and helped secure the station's base at the Inverclyde Community Development Trust building in Muirshiel Road, Port Glasgow.

The team of volunteers are backed by Dawn McQuillan, community champion at Tesco in Port Glasgow but the station is self-funded and relies on generous donations.

George hopes bringing Ronnie on board will help add to the station's already burgeoning online audience.

He said: "We're always bringing in new presenters and I think Ronnie will be a great fit.

"It started off with just the two of us, now we have nine presenters and 14 volunteers and we're always looking for people to get involved.

"We started off with 26 listeners and now we have 1,200 a month.

"The majority of listeners are from the UK but some tune in from Australia, Spain, France and the USA too."

George praised the station's loyal listeners and said the station couldn't keep going without its team of dedicated volunteers.

He added: "I want to say a huge 'thank-you' to all of our listeners and to all of our volunteers and presenters.

"We're so proud of what we're doing and we wouldn't be able to do it without them."

Ronnie Cowan with the Clyde Coast Radio team, including bichon frises Rosie and Holly.