AN independent councillor says he is stepping up a campaign to get a community centre in his ward re-opened.

Councillor Tommy McVey has welcomed the decision to retain key facilities on his patch as part of the council budget.

Now he wants to bring the mothballed Paton Street Community Centre in Bow Farm back into use.

Cllr McVey said: “When this budget process started there was a distinct possibility that community facilities in Ward 7 would be lost.

“I am therefore very pleased that South West Library is to remain open.

“It is an excellent facility and much valued by residents and children of Ward 7.”

Mr McVey says his aim is to get centre re-opened after it closed over a year ago following a deliberate fire.

Local mum Jackie McPherson, who used to run a toddlers group in the centre, has been battling to get it up and running again.

Cllr McVey added: “The next step is to get Paton Street Centre re-opened and to that end I look forward to working with Councillor Jim Clocherty in his role as convener of the education and communities committee, to make that happen.

“We have had magnificent backing from the local community to do this.”

To support the campaign visit the council’s petition page on https://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/petitions/view/Save-Our-Centre/73