BURNS enthusiasts flocked to Greenock town hall for one of Inverclyde’s most popular coffee mornings.

The annual event is organised by Greenock Burns Club (The Mother Club) and they said it was one of the busiest ever.

Provost Robert Moran opened the event and congratulated the organisation on its continuing success.

He said: “We are fortunate to have such a great club in our community.” The provost also praised the club for organising the long-running Inverclyde Secondary Schools Burns Supper, which was launched in 1989 under late president Douglas Geddes.

It features pupils from all seven secondary schools performing a variety of songs, poems and musical items.

Club secretary Margaret Dickson said today: “The coffee morning raises funds to pay for the schools supper. This year we raised a fantastic £900, which will go towards the next one in February.

“The supper is held in a different school each year and next year’s will be in St Columba’s.” Margaret said this had been one of the best-attended coffee mornings, which she attributed to the ‘overwhelming support’ of members and their friends and families.

Aulds of Greenock, as always, donated a cake to be raffled on the day.

The icing on this year’s had a picture of the Highland Mary Monument in Greenock Cemetery, as the club is spending around £15,000 upgrading it.

Margaret said they have received contributions from Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde towards the work, which should be completed next year.

Entertainment at the packed coffee morning was provided by piper Rachael McDade of Inverclyde Juvenile Pipe Band.

Rachael, 15, is the granddaughter of Mother Club president Bill McCready, who presented the Clydeview Academy pupil with a set of pipes.

See today's Tele for full pictures.