Free American football GRIDIRON enthusiasts have the chance to sample American Football during the school Easter holiday.

Free sessions will be on at the Battery Park tomorrow and Friday 12 April from 5.30 to 7.30pm, as well as Sunday 7 and 14 April between noon and 3pm.

Booking should be made in advance.

Phone Inverclyde Council's safer and inclusive communities office on 714298 to book a place.


OAP's purse is stolen in shop A THIEF stole �225 from a pensioner while she shopped in a Port Glasgow frozen food shop on Tuesday.

Someone took a purse from the 70-year-old's bag in Iceland, Church Street, at around 1.30pm.

It follows a similar incident just a few days earlier where a senior citizen had her purse snatched in the Oak Mall in Greenock.

Police say anyone with information about either theft should call them on 01475 492500.


Fundraising quiz THE Parkinson's Inverclyde Support Group are holding a quiz night/raffle in aid of research into Parkinson's Disease on Friday 19 April in The Chartroom, Kip Marina, Inverkip.

It starts at 7.30pm and the tickets cost �10, including a finger buffet.

Group chairperson, Billy Murray said: "If anyone wants tickets or would like to make a donation towards the raffle, they should contact me on 632863 or email me on williammurray19@btinternet.com" The group holds meetings at 12.30pm on the last Friday of each month in the Salvation Army Hall, Regent Street, Greenock.


Woman admits row A HOMELESS woman has admitted causing a breach of the peace at the Inverclyde Centre in Greenock.

Courtney Munro, 18, refused to leave the Dalrymple Street building during an incident on Sunday night and then began shouting and swearing at staff.

She had been asked to leave the homeless centre earlier that day by staff who were concerned about her behaviour, only to return at around 7pm.

Munro, of no fixed abode, carried out the offence while on bail from Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

Greenock Sheriff Court also heard that she was drunk at the time of her outburst.

Sheriff Ruth Anderson told her: "If this is how you behave when you are drunk, maybe you should stop drinking." Sentence was deferred for good behaviour.


Quiz night for player A QUIZ night is being held this weekend to celebrate Morton player Peter Weatherson's 10 years at the club.

People are being invited to the Spinnaker Hotel in Gourock on Saturday night for the event.

It's one of many benefits being held across the area in honour of the long-serving fans' favourite.

Tickets cost �3 and the quiz kicks off at 9pm.


�70 raised for charity INVERCLYDE'S fancy dress marathon man, Tommy Armstrong, raised �70 for children's charities by organising Easter runs for youngsters.

They took place in Battery Park on Easter Sunday morning, with around 50 young people taking part.

All of the competitors received goodie bags including Easter eggs, as well as a medal.


Feeling lucky? A TOUCH of casino excitement is coming to Port Glasgow as part of a fundraising event for a local football club.

Port Glasgow Juniors are hosting a casino night in the Upper Port Glasgow Social Club on Saturday 20 April.

The event will run from 7.30pm to 12.30am.

Tables open at 8pm, close at 11pm and there will be a disco thereafter.

Tickets, priced �5, are available from behind the bar at the Upper Port club or from any Port Juniors official.


Bookbugs SONGS and rhymes will echo through the McLean Museum next week as springtime Bookbug days are set to begin.

The special sessions begin in the Watt Hall next Wednesday from 2pm.

As well as songs and rhymes, tots will get the chance to pose for a photo beside the Bookbug mascot.

For more information call 01475 712336.


Wild west party A WILD West theme party for Inverclyde Leisure gym members takes place later this month.

There will be line dancing and prizes so don your denim jeans and a check shirt for a night of fun.

The free event takes place on Saturday 27 April at the Gamble Hall in Gourock from 7.30pm to 1am (non-members welcome for �5).

There will be free drinks on arrival and a hot buffet. Pop into your nearest Inverclyde Leisure gym to get your tickets.


Stub it out FOUR separate weekly sessions are being held in Inverclyde to encourage people to give up smoking.

Greenock Health Centre has one every Tuesday until 23 April, running from 7pm to 8pm, and every Wednesday until 1 May from 6pm to 7pm.

There is a class every Thursday until 2 May at 7� John Wood Street from 5.30m to 6.30pm.

And Gourock Health Centre also has a Thursday session until 9 May from 10am to 11am.

The classes are organised by Inverclyde Community Health and Care Partnership, who can be contacted at Wing F at Greenock Health Centre or by phoning 501226.


Cover-up A RAID on manhole covers in Port Glasgow left a number of gaping holes in the roads.

Thieves lifted four covers from the Kelburn area of the town.

They were reported stolen sometime between Wednesday and Thursday last week.

Greenock police are now looking for any witnesses or anyone with information to contact them on 492500.


It's one Tough Mudder A SQUAD from Gourock Fitness Gym is taking part in one of the world's toughest races.

However, more hardcore fitness fanatics are needed to join 'Team Gourock' for the Tough Mudder slog in Edinburgh on 24 August this year.

A 10-12 mile assault course at the Dalkeith Country Estate will see runners face a fearsome series of obstacles.

Gym fitness adviser Stuart McCabe, 40, will be one of those taking part and said around 20 people had already signed up to join the team for the extreme challenge.

Stuart says the course presents an unusual set of challenges.

He said: "It will involve 10,000 volts of electricity, freezing cold water, crawling through tunnels - it's basically running a half-marathon which includes an obstacle course.

"If you want to take part you should be able to complete a half-marathon and have extra endurance to tackle all the obstacles." Last year, local man Martin Carrera took part in Tough Mudder New York.

He qualified after a gruelling 11-mile army assault course in Dumfries where he was ranked in the top five per cent of participants.

Tough Mudder races take place all over the world and are designed by special forces to test stamina, determination and camaraderie.

To register for 'Team Gourock' or for more information email stuart.mccabe@inverclyde.gov.uk