POLICE are probing an illegal Covid lawbreaking Hogmanay house party in Port Glasgow after a flat in the town was hired 'under false pretence' through an accommodation rental website.

More than 30 New Year revellers descended on the property in the town and are now the focus of an intensive investigation to find out who organised the unlawful get-together.

It is understood that the party flat was booked by someone masquerading as a 'doctor', with a backstory of having to work at Inverclyde Royal Hospital for a few days during the festive period.

The Port Glasgow incident is one of several similar illegal bashes being probed by police following an apparent spate of bookings which resulted in large gatherings of people.

Police are currently piecing together information from multiple sources regarding the Inverclyde event — including, it is understood, electronic data — as part of the ongoing investigation.

The precise location of the party flat has not been released while the inquiry remains live.

Police were given the power to break up house parties which violate social gathering rules last August.

Since then officers have reportedly been called out to nearly 7,000 such incidents throughout the country.

Sergeant Jason Logsdon, of Greenock police, yesterday confirmed an investigation was under way.

Sgt Logsdon said: "Inverclyde Police are investigating a report of a house party held at Hogmanay within a property in Port Glasgow.

"The property is believed to have been hired with false intentions.

"Police are continuing with enquiries to identify the people involved and will take appropriate action against them."