INVERCLYDE Music Festival remains at the beating heart of the community after the 94th edition of the event ended on a high note.

Talented singers, magnificent musicians and dynamic dancers were among over 1,200 competitors who helped to make this year's extravaganza a huge success.

Festival president Isabel Lind today thanked the competitors, 4,000 visitors, adjudicators and devoted volunteers and stewards for their support.

She said: "It has been a great festival.

"It was very exciting as there was so much variety, from the Gaelic singing to the bagpipes, jazz, percussion and guitars.

"That's what makes our festival unique.

"It's also very inclusive and the atmosphere is very friendly.

"We do strive to have a friendly ambience about the place and one of the adjudicators commented on that."

For the past two weeks, Greenock Town Hall has come alive with the sound of talented performers taking to the stage.

Isabel says the standard was exceptionally high throughout the event right up until the last day of competition on Saturday.

She said: "The Gaelic vocal solo competition on Saturday was very moving.

"There were two soloists in the class - Innes Scullion and Rhianna Boyle.

"Rhianna was stuck in traffic but we waited for her.

"When she got here, Rhianna sang beautifully as did Innes.

"It was a lovely moment when Innes was awarded first in class and Rhianna achieved second in class."

Later that night, proud families filled Greenock Town Hall to watch the Grand Final Concert and Provost Martin Brennan and his wife Veronica presented 21 trophies to talented youngsters.

Isabel said: "Martin granddaughter competed at the festival and his wife Veronica is still renowned amongst the adjudicators for the group verse teams she entered into the competition when she was a teacher at St Ninian's Primary, so it was lovely to have them present the awards."

Mrs Lind, who thanked Lynsey Currie, a teacher at St Columba's High in Gourock for organising the final concert, arranged a special afternoon tea in the Town Hall on Friday where she toasted all the volunteers for their commitment and remembered festival supporter Dr Helen Dunsmore, who sadly passed away last month.

Isabel also praised festival secretary Anne McGregor, who is already working on next year's event.

She said: "Anne does not have time off."