BENCHES commemorating the efforts of the NHS, key workers and volunteers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic are to be installed across Inverclyde.

Municipal Buildings bosses have made plans to splash out a total of £15,000 on benches in Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock.

The idea is now to be considered by members of the environment and regeneration committee.

It has been inspired by a similar project in Hull, where steel benches have been painted blue and decorated with the words 'Thank You NHS and Key Workers'.

Officials say in a new report: “Covid-19 has fundamentally changed life in the past few months, impacting on every aspect of society.

“Key workers and volunteers have risen to the challenge and maintained essential services through health, communities, commerce and public services.

“It is proposed the council marks the efforts of all those people through the creation and installation of memorial benches in Port Glasgow, Greenock and Gourock.

“A company could potentially fabricate the benches following appropriate procurement and the anticipated cost is around £5,000 per bench, including installation.”

Council chiefs have suggested the wording on the Inverclyde seating should be 'Thank You NHS, Key Workers and Volunteers'.

They have also drawn up suggested locations for them.

Options in each of the three towns will be presented to elected members at a meeting set to take place next Thursday.

The grassed area to the north of the Port Glasgow Town Buildings – between them and The Endeavour shipping sculpture – has been considered, while an area to the east of the play area in Coronation Park has been highlighted as another option.

In Greenock, officers have selected Clyde Square as their favoured location, but have also suggested north-east of the Custom House, facing the River Clyde, as another potential home for a bench.

For Gourock, a spot in the gardens at the Municipal Buildings has been listed as the top location, while an area north of the grassy mound at the pierhead has also been put forwars.