INVERCLYDE’S crack team of mediators charged with settling neighbourhood disputes have been recognised nationally for their work.

The team are now in a special band of mediators accredited for their efforts towards keeping the peace.

In a bid to get national accreditation they had their catalogue of cases pored over by examiners.

Education and communities convenor Terry Loughran said: “Often it takes an impartial view of a dispute or disagreement to offer a fresh perspective and in most cases a way to settle things amicably.

“Inverclyde is one of 11 services in Scotland to be accredited and our three mediators are among about 40 across the country to be approved so we really are at the cutting edge of community mediation.” Inverclyde Council has one of the longest established mediation services in the country.

Councillor Loughran added: “The vast majority of mediation meetings are successful with both sides working out a solution they can both agree on.”