Nursery is set to enjoy a double celebration at tomorrow's Gourock Garden Party

Binnie Street Children's Centre staff and tots will receive the Elspeth Riddell Community Award and nursery worker Maria Lamb will be presented with the Unsung Hero Betty Maither MBE trophy at the event in recognition of their contribution to the community.

Maria, an early years education and childcare officer, has worked in the centre since it opened six years ago, and before that at Gamble Children's Centre.

The 63-year-old has been active with the Brownies in the area and also helped the found the Gamble Children's Centre with Margaret Sutherland and did a lot of fundraising.

Former town councillor Jim Hunter, who puts up the Betty Maither trophy, receives the nominations for the awards.

He said: "It is important that local people are recognised for the contribution they make to the community.

"Maria has been active in this area for more than 30 years and has taught generations of children."

Most recently, she has been taking the three to five-year-olds in the nursery to visit residents in Riverside Gardens, where Jim lives.

Maria said: "The children love it and they love Jim - they keep asking him if he knows the Jacobites because he wears a kilt and a hat with a feather.

"We play board games, we sing songs and have been baking with residents."

She said: "I am amazed and dumbfounded to win this award. It is something that has come as a great surprise."

Maria was swift to pledge her support for tomorrow's garden party.

She said: "It's something the community should support.

"I think we should keep these traditions going.

"The children love entering the competitions."

The nursery cares for 80 three-to-five year-olds and also offers under-threes and out-of-school provision and holiday care.

Ruth Wyllie, head of centre, said: "It's wonderful to win - we weren't expecting it at all.

"It is lovely for all the hard work of staff, parents and children here at Binnie Street to be recognised.

"I am new to this area and it is nice to see that the nursery plays an active part in the life and work of the community."

Gourock Garden Party takes place in the walled garden in Gourock Park tomorrow from noon.

This year's event has an outer space theme to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landings.

Children, youth organisations and schools can bring a model along on the day or make one in the park.

There will a great variety of stalls, a visit from 'owl magic', a face painter, wood carving demonstration, a play in the amphitheatre by Gourock Heritage Group and entertainment from the Clydeside Singers and Clyde Cost Fiddlers.