BUS firm McGill's is extending its Greenock head office as part of a shake-up of its Renfrewshire depots.

The company, owned by local businessmen Sandy and James Easdale, is shutting its Inchinnan head office operations with 11 staff being transferred to its Larkfield Industrial Estate building where the department will double in size.

The remaining 165 employees at the Renfrewshire depot will continue as normal and there will be no job losses as a result of the changes.

Head office operations are currently split between Greenock and Inchinnan and company chiefs had previously discussed quitting Inverclyde in favour of a permanent move to Renfrewshire.

But they have now opted to retain the Larkfield depot, safeguarding local jobs.

Ralph Roberts, McGill's managing director, said: "Our head office had been split between Inchinnan and Greenock.

"We previously looked at relocating to Renfrewshire and out of Inverclyde.

"We were looking at whether we do everything in Paisley or down here.

"All staff are moving down to Inverclyde and we're extending the head office from February 4.

"We're bringing more jobs to Inverclyde and, although they are jobs that currently exist, it brings more people down here."

The company says it is being forced to make savings because of a number of factors, mainly due to falling passenger numbers across the network.

There will be no job losses as a result of the Inchinnan head office closure, with all staff being relocated to Greenock.

However, some roles could be lost if McGill's chiefs go ahead with shutting the Barrhead depot.

A consultation is currently taking place and there has been no final decision.

Staff have been sent a letter outlining the potential implications of such a move.

McGill's employs around 1,000 staff and operates 450 buses across 110 routes throughout Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, Glasgow and the west coast.

The company has further depots in Johnstone and Coatbridge.