ONE of Inverclyde's most famous cafes is up for sale - along with its treasured home-made ice cream recipe.

The Bluebird Cafe in Gourock is looking for a new owner after current proprietors Gerry and Wilma Talacchia decided to retire.

They have been behind the counter of the well-known Cardwell Road cafe and takeaway for nearly seven years, but are now hanging up their aprons to pursue other interests.

Gerry, formerly a partner chef at Aldo's in Greenock, is planning a well-earned rest while wife Wilma wants to put her degree in special needs care to good use.

The couple are looking forward to handing over the reins to someone new - but admit they will miss the buzz of the Bluebird - and its famous home-made ice cream, which any new owner must continue to sell.

Wilma said: "I've enjoyed our time here, I really have.

"The cafe won't just be passed on to anyone else - the ice cream must be kept on because it's the only ice cream shop in the town, one of only four in Inverclyde and it's still home-made.

"The cafe is definitely not closing down - in fact we've had quite a bit of interest in it."

Customers come from far and wide to sample the Bluebird's famous frozen treat, with some even buying in bulk during each visit.

The recipe is a closely guarded secret but Wilma says the key is all about the quantity of ingredients. Wilma said: "People come back time and again for it.

"I have a client who gets 10 litres at a time and you get lots of great feedback from the customers.

"The recipe comes with the cafe and I will tell people with allergies exactly what goes in it but not the quantities - that's the secret."

As well as its tasty food and renowned ice cream, the Bluebird Cafe also has a fascinating history dating back more than 70 years.

Formerly a department-type store, it was blown up during the Second World War in 1940.

It was then rebuilt and made into the cafe which still stands in Gourock today.

There is a picture on the wall inside the dining room of the damage left by the bomb blast in the 40s.

Wilma said: "It's got a rich history."

The cafe is now on the market for sale described as a 'well established cafe bistro with takeaway facilities'.