GYM staff are going the extra mile to help feed hard-pressed local families at Christmas - by donning their favourite festive jumpers.

The team at the Waterfront Leisure Complex fitness facility are encouraging colleagues and members to hand in food in the run-up to their annual Christmas Jumper Day appeal this Friday, all in aid of Inverclyde Foodbank.

Usually staff simply wear their best festive togs for a bit of fun but this year they decided to use it as a way to gather goods for the Greenock charity.

The idea was proposed by local fundraiser Joyce Murdoch, membership co-ordinator at the Waterfront Gym.

Joyce said: "We do Christmas Jumper Day every year but we don't really do it for anything so we decided to do it this year for Inverclyde Foodbank.

"We're asking members of the gym to get involved too for a bit of fun.

"Hopefully they will come in with their Christmas jumpers or t-shirts on as well and donate to a good cause. "We'll be accepting donations here right up until the day itself on Friday."

As well as tins, jars and other non-perishable foods, people have also been handing in toys and baby items like nappies and wipes, which will be distributed to those in the community who need them the most.

Fraser Donaldson, from the foodbank, which is run by the i58 Project, said: "This is a fantastic gesture from Joyce and the Waterfront Gym team.

"Christmas is always a time that brings folk together to help out with the i58 Project and the foodbank and respond to the needs of the community - and to help make Christmas special for people who would otherwise struggle."