FORMER First Minister Alex Salmond paid a visit to Inverclyde to give one final push to SNP candidate Stuart McMillan’s election campaign.

The ex-party leader also stopped off at Ferguson’s in Port Glasgow to see the transformation there since he was last in town two years ago when the shipyard almost went out of business.

He then headed to the SNP campaign shop in Grey Place to address a large crowd of local activists – and give his backing to Greenock & Inverclyde hopeful Mr McMillan.

Despite being over an hour late, supporters waited patiently and were delighted when the former First Minister arrived and held court in the street to deliver a rousing message of support to his party colleague.

The former SNP leader said: “Stuart’s a terrific member of the Scottish Parliament and when he asked me to come and give him a hand I was only too happy to accept, I’d go anywhere to support Stuart.

“He’ll be a first class representative in the seat for Inverclyde.”

Mr Salmond then took a walk along West Blackhall Street where he popped into barber shop Room 2 to meet with staff and hairdresser Avril Wilson, from Greenock.

Posing a stylist’s chair, he joked: “Don’t let them see my bald bits, comb over them’.

Mr McMillan was delighted to welcome the SNP big-hitter and said: “On Thursday we’ve got a huge opportunity to create history by electing a first SNP MSP constituency representative.

“I ask people to come outfor the next few days, let’s get letters delivered and let’s win this constituency for the SNP and take the next step towards independence.”

See today's Tele for interviews with all the election candidates.