GREENOCK'S former IBM factory which pioneered the 'Silicon Glen' revolution in Scotland is to be the subject of a major new television documentary.

The plant — which at its peak employed over 5,000 people — was borne out of a meeting in 1950 between the town's then MP Hector McNeil and a trusted friend of US President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Thomas J. Watson, the founder of International Business Machines, came to the Spango Valley site where he would build his dream and declared: "This is the Valley of Opportunity — here we will stay."

Now production company TVI Vision, the team behind BBC documentaries such as 'The Singer Story: Made In Clydebank' and 'The Town That Thread Built [about J & P Coats in Paisley], are focusing on IBM Greenock for their latest project.

Producers are looking to interview former IBM employees to help tell one of Scotland's greatest industrial success stories of a factory which rose from having a handful of employees in 1954 to supplying the world with technology and innovation.

Vicki Watson, of TVI Vision, said: "We'd love to speak with people who worked at IBM's Spango Valley site in Greenock.

"We're keen to chat to those from a range of jobs roles who spent time at Spango Valley over the years.

"We'd like to hear about workers' experiences at work and at play."

Back in 1950, MP Mr McNeil invited IBM's Watson and his son Arthur to a meeting in the House of Commons and told them: "I have something for you in Scotland."

Within five minutes arrangements had been made for the two to visit the site and they were sold on Spango Valley.

Although Watson snr was in his 80th year and unable to cross the Atlantic for the opening ceremony on August 30, 1954, he sent a message to his workforce, telling them: "We are particularly pleased that this new plant has been located here in beautiful Spango Valley which offers excellent facilities for the export of our products.

"Mrs Watson joins me in extending our warmest regards and kindest wishes to every member of the IBM family in the United Kingdom, our good neighbours whose friendship we deeply appreciate."

The huge plant grew substantially over the years, had its own road network and social club and was an integral fixture and key employer in the area for decades.

By 1999 there were 5,500 people working there but in the years to follow the picture changed dramatically.

As the company shifted its focus elsewhere, the Greenock operation became a casualty and was gradually run down.

Its cavernous buildings were emptied of staff until all that was left was a call centre.

The sprawling site was eventually sold off, with IBM switching its remaining employees to Ladyburn Business Park in Greenock at the other end of the district.

The buildings on the site were demolished and the cleared land was snapped up last year by local businessmen Sandy and James Easdale.

*Former IBM employees who wish to share memories about their time at Spango Valley, and how the company impacted the town and wider area, or who have photos and videos from when they worked there, can contact TVI via email at vicki.watson@tvi-ltd.co.uk or call 0141 573 0552.