HELPING people in need this Christmas is the focus of a Greenock photography business after hundreds of pounds worth of groceries were collected for Inverclyde Foodbank.

Louise Gault and her wife Jane Fitzpatrick, who run Louise Gault Photography, say they are overwhelmed by the generosity shown by their loyal customers who have donated £130 worth of dried food to their collection.

Also supporting the appeal were the 2009 Port Juniors football team, coached by Louise's brother Joe, who donated £70 worth of items.

To top off the mountain of items donated, Louise and Jane matched what was already collected, meaning that in total about £300 worth of dried food will be available to help needy families this festive season.

Louise said: "We invited people to bring in something for the foodbank and gave them extra digital images.

"I initially brought in a small yellow tub, thinking that's how much we would collect.

"But people have been bringing in huge bags full of food.

"I can't believe how much people have donated - it's amazing."

Jane said they were inspired to support the foodbank after learning about how many local adults and children are in desperate situations.

She said: "We were speaking to the girl from the foodbank and when they showed us the statistics about the number of kids that use it and the amount of stuff they have to give out, it was heartbreaking."

Items donated included nappies, pasta, cereal, dried noodles, tinned food and selection boxes for kids to open at Christmas.

The couple are keen to thank everyone who contributed, especially the young footballers.

Louise said: "Some of the boys came in to the studio, pictured, and they got to see how much was collected.

"It was great for them to see how important it is to give something back to help others at Christmas time.

"We just want to thank everyone - we are blown away by how much they have given."

The couple's niece Anna Brogan and her three-month-old daughter Lucia Madden were at the photography studio this week to help handover the donations to the foodbank.

Anna said: "I couldn't get in the door because there was so much food collected, it's amazing.

"It shows how lovely the customers are who come in to the studio."