A DECADE of an anti-knife education campaign has been marked in Inverclyde.

The pioneering ‘No Knives, Better Lives’ campaign was piloted in Inverclyde 10 years ago and its success saw it rolled out across the country.

Members of the council's education and communities committee recognised the impact of the project locally and paid tribute to the work of anti-knife activist John Muir MBE, who campaigned tirelessly for tougher punishments for offenders after the loss of his son Damian in a brutal blade attack.

Council leader Stephen McCabe was first to pay tribute to Mr Muir.

He said: "John has played a huge role in the success of the campaign by bringing home to young people in particular the tragic consequences of carrying a knife.

"It is likely that there are people alive today who would not be if he hadn't helped get this message out to the local community.

"He deserves our gratitude for all the work he did.

"The best tribute we could pay to John however is to ensure that the campaign continues, taking that important message to the next generation of young people in Inverclyde."

Mr Muir, now 80, worked closely with the Telegraph on its award-winning Stop Knives Save Lives campaign which called for mandatory sentences for blade carriers.

He also helped to set up the Inverclyde Anti-Knife Group, only recently stepping down from his role there.

In 2015 he was given an MBE for his work tackling blade culture.

Councillor John Crowther also praised the Inverkip man's tireless efforts.

He said: "John Muir was a catalyst for the campaign. He inspired change across the country.

"I think Inverclyde's councillors are unanimous in their view that John's contribution had to be recognised at the meeting."

He also said that knife crime was still prevalent and mentioned the tragic death of young dad Chris Nicol in Maple Road last month.

He told the Telegraph: "The campaign is not finished - and the council recognises that."

‘No Knives, Better Lives’ is a national programme designed to deter young people from using and carrying a knife. It is supported by the Scottish Government and delivered by YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work in Scotland, in collaboration with local partners, including Inverclyde Council.

Education convener Jim Clocherty said the pioneering programme had made a huge difference.

He said: “There can be no doubt that the work to highlight the devastating impact carrying knives has on people, families and communities has saved lives.

“High profile incidents in our area recently however show that work still needs to be done. The message needs to go out that carrying a knife is not acceptable and as a society we all have a role to play in supporting the messages and actions of the ‘No Knives, Better Lives’ campaign."