A NEW paid-for meals service from Branchton Community Centre is cooking up a storm.

Staff launched the project hot on the heels of their free meals provision during the Covid-19 lockdown.

When the funding for it ended they decided to set up social enterprise Our Kitchen - and it has proved a recipe for success.

Senior citizen Gilbert Cunningham, of Dunlop Street, Greenock, is one of the customers signed up and he says the service is 'excellent'.

He said: "I admire what they do and you get lovely meals.

"I was asked if I had any complaints, I said I'd no complaints, the only thing is there is too much!

"My waistline is getting bigger.

"The food is delicious"

Gilbert, 84, has mobility problems and a string of health issues and hasn't been put for seven months.

He has carers in three days a week and his two nieces and her brother have been looking after him.

It was his niece Arlene who suggested he sign up for the meals on wheels service and he gets five deliveries a week.

Carol McEwan, a development officer at Branchton, says the venture has been very successful, with many other people benefitting from it.

She told the Telegraph: "It followed on from our free meals service and we decided to start a social enterprise to make paid-for meals.

"We try to keep the cost down - we charge £3 a day for an evening meal which is £15 a week or £25 a week for lunch and an evening meal."

She says the idea appeals not only to senior citizens but new mums and working single people.

Carol said: "Fifty people have signed up so far and it's going really well.

"The feedback has been great."