THE first local place of worship to introduce Messy Church to Inverclyde is still leading the way with the innovative scheme.

Greenock Westburn broke new ground when it launched the concept and Morag McCracken, youth convener, says some members who came along as kids are now helping to shape the future of sessions.

At last week's session there was a 'parable party' covering the tale of the wise man and the foolish man and their homes founded on rock and sand.

Morag said: "We were the first messy church in the area and have quite a bit of experience.

"We have a lot of helpers now."

The imaginative concept has helped the church reach out to a whole new generation.

Morag said: "It is so rewarding - what you put in, you get out tenfold.

"One of the girls who came here as a child is now coming along to our planning meetings and my daughter Kirsty who also came as a child has taken a craft table.

"It's open to everyone."

Morag says the youngsters enjoy the big construction projects and craft work, while mums and dads also muck in.

After all their hard work the kids and adults enjoy sitting down to have food together.

The regular get-togethers also get the thumbs up from parents, with people travelling to the church in Nelson Street from as far afield as Port Glasgow.

Westburn Messy Church runs every second Saturday of the month from 4-6pm.