A SPECIAL service took place in Greenock to mark the start of Remembrance Week.

Councillors, council officials, local Navy cadets and other dignitaries braved the wet and windy weather on Saturday to insert crosses bearing poppies into the ground at the Garden of Remembrance in Clyde Square.

The ceremony, organised by Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland, takes place every year in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.

Among those in attendance were Provost Martin Brennan, council leader Stephen McCabe and Councillor Gerry Dorrian, who is Inverclyde's veterans' champion.

Revered Alan Sorensen, from Wellpark Mid Kirk, was also on hand to say a prayer and invite guests to come forward with their special poppy crosses.

Councillor Dorrian says it is an important event in the council calendar.

Mr Dorrian said: "Every year we have a service for the launch of poppy week attended by senior council officers, councillors, Navy cadets, members of the public and Reverend Alan Sorensen, who gives a speech and blessing and invites gathered dignitaries to insert a poppy with a cross in the Garden of Remembrance.

"Apart from the weather, it went well and Reverend Sorensen spoke very well. "The council is very supportive of Poppyscotland, Remembrance Week and our ex-servicemen and women and the fact they employ a veterans officer shows that."

Inverclyde will fall silent for Armistice Day at 11am this Sunday with services taking place at War Memorials across the district on what will be the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

As part of the Remembrance Week commemorations, Greenock's 'Ginger the Horse' statue on Cathcart Street is once again sporting a giant poppy and there will be an animated memorial projected onto Cowan's Corner at the Municipal Buildings for two hours each night from 5.30pm until Sunday.