Telegraph archives: Crackdown on yobs at Greenock scheme

Five hundred residents in Maukinhill were the first to benefit from a helpline set up to help stamp out trouble on the streets and tackle neighbours from hell.

People living there had been plagued with gangs of youths fighting with youngsters from neighbouring schemes — and they hoped the new measures would put a stop to it.

The anti-social behaviour team used the calls from the public to co-ordinate investigations with the possibility of community wardens being used as professional witnesses.

Meanwhile, a charity volunteer was stunned when a routine fitness test revealed he needed a heart by-pass operation.

Alex Cockburn was horrified when he was diagnosed with periphery vascular disease and told he might have to have his legs amputated.

But after his life-saving bypass surgery and a lot of hard work, he had made a good recovery.

He had just raised £1,000 by running a 10k race and his fitness was much better than it had been in recent years.

He donated the cash to the physiotherapy department at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and it was being used to buy pulse monitors for cardiac rehab patients using the gym.

Elsewhere, staff at a Greenock company had waved goodbye to sleeping bags, blankets and duvets they collected for Pakistan earthquake victims.

Workers at Serco Denholm’s Great Harbour plant even convinced Prince Charles to hand over some blankets.

The blankets and bags were to help keep warm people left homeless by the horrific earthquake in Pakistan, where the winter weather in the mountains of the worst-hit area was extremely harsh.

Serco Denholm marine services was the hub for Scotland’s contribution to the earthquake aid appeal.

In other news, Santa paid a visit to Inverkip, Wemyss Bay and Kilmacolm as the Christmas lights were switched on.

The magical evening was a fantastic start to the festive season for families in Inverclyde, and children crowded around as Santa appeared.

There was carol singing and festive celebration for people of all ages on the cold but bright evening.

Lights now illuminate the night from Kilmacolm to Wemyss Bay and happy youngsters are eagerly awaiting Santa’s return on Christmas Eve.

In sport, Morton manager Jim McInally was celebrating his second Manager of the Month award ahead of the Ton’s league clash with Ayr United at Cappielow.

The Morton boss was given the award for his side’s impressive form throughout November and hoped to stretch his side’s winning streak to five games by triumphing in the upcoming fixture.

However, despite the accolade, McInally remained his usual modest self. “To be honest these awards don’t get me either up or down,” he said at the time. “It means we’ve been winning games, that’s the best thing about it. The players take the credit for that — it’s not a lot to do with me to be honest.”

When the Ton faced Ayr they came away 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Derek Lilley and Jim McAlistair.