TV bosses say they are pulling the plug on Greenock-based drama Waterloo Road because it’s run out of steam.

Bosses announced yesterday that the programme will come to the end of the road next year when the final 10 episodes are screened on BBC One.

It will be the 10th series and the third since the £20 million switch from Rochdale to Greenock in 2012.

Before the final run, a further 10 episodes in the current schedule will be screened in the autumn.

Waterloo Road has been averaging four million viewers — down from over five million when it arrived here two years ago.

But BBC top brass said the show has simply ran its course and that is why they have decided that series 10 will be the final act.

Charlotte Moore, BBC One controller, and Ben Stephenson, head of BBC drama, released a joint statement expressing their sadness at the move.

They said: “We are incredibly proud of Waterloo Road, and would like to thank Shed Productions and all the cast and teams involved across the 10 series.

“However, we believe it has reached the end of its lifecycle and won’t be returning after series 10 finishes in 2015.” A whole host of famous faces, including Laurie Brett, Alex Norton and Angus Deayton, have all filmed in Inverclyde during the show’s stint here.

TV bosses said Waterloo Road has played an instrumental role in boosting the Scottish TV industry — and it’s all thanks to Greenock.

Donalda MacKinnon, head of programmes at BBC Scotland, pictured left, said: “When we originally committed to making 50 hours of Waterloo Road in Greenock we did so for a number of reasons, which included boosting drama production skills here in Scotland, as well as improving training and development opportunities for the future.

“We were very pleased to significantly increase our commitment to 70 hours recently and that was partly thanks to the efforts of the Greenock community, who helped make the move happen so smoothly and who made cast and crew so welcome.

“It’s always sad when any long-running show comes to an end and I know the Waterloo Road team will miss Greenock — as will fans of the show.

“Our firm aim now, however, is to use that to continue growing the TV and the wider creative sector here in Scotland utilising the increased skill base arising from Waterloo Road to build up future home-grown culturally representative output.” Plans are in the pipeline for a new production to fill the void left by Waterloo Road but beaks remain tight-lipped about the type of drama and where it will be filmed — but it is hoped there can be an encore for Inverclyde.