A BIG-HEARTED Greenock business owner has stepped in to help gardeners after their outdoor haven was attacked by vandals.

David Murdoch, owner of Douglas Rae Glaziers, has donated around 40 pieces of 3mm horticultural glass to plotholders at Caddlehill Allotments.

The kind businessman was struck by the plight of the gardeners after reading in the Tele how firestarters had targeted the horticultural haven.

David said: "I read the stories in the paper and just wanted to help.

"A few of the plotholders come into my store for glass and have done over the years.

"The allotment is a really important community resource and it's helped people out over the last few months.

"I am glad that our stock will be put to good use by the folk at the allotments."

The kind donation follows a spate of attacks at the community facility.

In March, plot holders were dismayed to see the tool shed and several other buildings torched.

On September 13, another four buildings were set alight, and at the end of September, two further greenhouses and the clubhouse were targeted.

Secretary Mark Dickson said that the damage amounts to well over £20,000.

While the structure of some of the buildings remains intact, much of the polycarbonate and glass coverings have melted away.

The donation from Douglas Rae Glaziers will now help to rebuild the structure.

Caddlehill Allotments chair Rose Stewart says she's overwhelmed by the donation from David and thanked him for his generosity.

Rose added: "It's such a lovely gesture and we're extremely grateful.

"It will help us a lot.

"We were all thrilled by it and by the other offers of help we've had from people in the community.

"The police have been very supportive too, as have CVS Inverclyde.

"It's just awful and there have been so many things happening in Inverclyde over the last few weeks.

"The police are run off their feet so to take time out to speak to us means a lot.

"They deserve a huge pat on the back."