PEOPLE from across the world will learn about Greenock's most famous son James Watt while they exercise thanks to a new virtual walking app created by local schoolchildren.

Tech savvy pupils from Kilmacolm Primary have joined forces with the World Walking team to create the 'James Watt virtual walk'.

The 727 mile walk encourages people to stretch their legs by matching how far they have walked with virtual images of a route which starts in Greenock and ends in Cornwall, taking in key locations in Watt’s life, such as the University of Glasgow and Kinneil House.

The young inventors are inviting the public to a special event to launch their app tomorrow afternoon in Greenock.

Pupils Calum McBeth, Emily Hathaway, Cara McMinn, Lorie Bunemann, say they have really enjoyed learning about the world famous inventor.

Cara said: "The walking app is good because you're learning about James Watt but you're also having fun and exercising too."

P7 classmate Calum added: "People came to the school and we had a big assembly where we learned about James Watt."

The initiative is being spearheaded by Inverclyde Council as part of a year-long series of events to mark the 200th anniversary of James Watt’s death.

Back In November pupils from Kilmacolm Primary were drafted in to help develop the new commemorative route.

Ailie Glover, a P7 teacher at the school, said the project has inspired the youngsters, who worked with students from West College Scotland to create a video entitled 'Watt's Walking Wonders'.

She said: "It's been good fun - they've had a great time."

Councillor Jim Clocherty praised the pupils for stepping up to the challenge.

He said: “The James Watt walk is a chance to follow in the footsteps of one of the most influential Scots ever to have lived.

"Watt was born in Greenock and his influence is recognised across the UK and throughout the world.

“The James Watt walk is a great way to learn about his life and what an amazing contribution he made as a Scottish inventor, mechanical engineer and chemist.

"You can even encourage your family, friends and colleagues to take part and discover the life and work of James Watt."

Tomorrow's launch is at 4.30pm at Cowan's Corner outside the Municipal Buildings.

At the event, the pupils' video will be shown followed by a film from the National Library of Scotland about James Watt and Greenock.

The council is keen to thank everyone involved in the project, especially the Heritage Lottery Fund, outreach officer Alison Nolan, Val Boa, curator at Inverclyde Council, Duncan Galbraith from World Walking and Ray Caniffi from West College Scotland.

To access the online walking app go to https://worldwalking.org and search for James Watt.