West Coast Woodfuels was founded by farmer Alistair McIntyre of Shielhill after he changed the way the farm was heated.

He converted farm boilers from using expensive oil to government-subsidised woodfuel biomass.

The move was so successful that, as well as running the sheep and cattle farm, he set up a company in a nearby former Scottish Water treatment works at the start of 2014.

Alistair employs three people and plans to take on three more this year.

His ultra-modern facility supplies high quality, kiln-dried woodfuel to customers from Fort Willliam to Dumfries.

Mr McIntyre said: “Our state of the art facility and specialised drying method allow us to produce the highest quality woodfuel with a moisture content to suit each client’s boiler requirements.

“Our timber is sourced locally from sustainably managed woodlands and stored at our purpose-built production facility until required for chipping.

“The chipping is carried out on site by our industrial biomass chipper to the required industry quality standards and these fresh woodchips are then dry stored inside, awaiting the drying process.” The company is growing steadily as a result of its success.

Mr McIntyre said: “Business is increasing all the time.” West Coast Woodfuels was recently visited by Labour general election candidate Iain McKenzie, who described the eco-friendly business as ‘a shining example of how exploring new energy sources could lead to more jobs and greener energy in Inverclyde’.

He said: “Climate change is one of the most serious issues we face. We should not focus solely on wind, as the Scottish Government has done, but also look to wave and hydroelectric sources, taking advantage of our coastline and rainfall.

“West Coast Woodfuels is an example of how we can look to different sources for our future energy needs, and prioritise the use of clean and renewable sources.” He added: “A Labour government would support eco-friendly businesses, while as an MP I would also encourage firms in the area to look to local companies like this to support their energy needs.”