BARBER shop staff in Greenock kindly cut into their own time to work for free after hours in aid of a co-worker's charitable project helping vulnerable people.

The team at The Harbour Barbers in Cathcart Street stayed on between 6-9pm to help raise money for the '1goodturn' initiative launched by their colleague Mitchell McFarlane.

They kept the shop open late with all proceeds from haircuts going towards Mitchell's work helping people who are homeless, vulnerable and in need.

Shop manager Caroline Darrah proposed the idea and it was backed by owner Euan Morrison and the rest of the workforce.

Caroline said: "He's one of us, it's only fair we did something.

"We've been taken aback by the amazing work he's been doing."

The team have also agreed for the shop to become a drop-off point for people to hand in donations such as warm clothing, sleeping bags and food.

Euan said: "We're very pleased to support Mitchell. What he is doing is inspirational."

Mitchell, 38, bravely opened up to the Tele recently about how he set up the project after experiencing depression in January this year and being left without a roof over his head himself when he was a teenager.

Inspired by the kindness shown to him during his darkest moments, he has been collecting food and clothing and delivering it to people sleeping rough.

He also cuts hair for free for those who need it.

This weekend, he will be sleeping rough for 24 hours, starting at 4pm on Saturday, to raise awareness of his mission.

Mitchell, who is from Smith Street, will have just the clothes on his back and a sleeping bag and will rely solely on the generosity of people for food and drink.

He says he has been overwhelmed by the support from businesses and individuals across Inverclyde.

Mitchell said: "I don't just work with homeless people, it's anybody with a need. "Maybe people just need a free haircut to save money or because they can't afford it. "Somebody did something nice for me, then I did something for a stranger and so on. "What the guys here at The Harbour Barbers have done is amazing. "It's the people of Inverclyde who fuel this and should be proud.

"This is a great place to be."

Mitchell would also like to thank InverStore in Lynedoch Street for generously providing free storage and James McCairn from Man with a Van Greenock for providing transport to Glasgow.