THE former IBM site at Spango Valley is in a sorry condition, but local election candidates are reviving an idea for bringing it back to life.

Liberal Democrat hopefuls have suggested that the once thriving location would be ideal for the long talked about film studio the Scottish Government hopes to create.

No doubt Labour, the SNP, Tories and independents standing on May 4 will come up with their own plans for boosting Inverclyde in the run-up to the poll.

Whether a studio here is still a runner remains to be seen. Former Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil made several attempts to get one going.

Scottish Enterprise, however, apparently finally ruled it out three years ago by hinting it was likely to go somewhere between Glasgow and Edinburgh because it was allegedly more convenient for people in the film industry.

Now Creative Scotland are saying that the ‘film studio delivery group’ continues to welcome proposals.

The Spango Valley site has a lot going for it. It’s right next to the A78 and railway, handy for Glasgow and close to spectacular scenery.

If the transport links were suitable for the busy IBM plant for so many years, they should certainly be okay for a film studio.

As with most other projects, of course, finance is the big stumbling block.

What we need is a film fan with mega bucks to back an attractive idea that would create jobs.

Any offers?