A BINGO hall in Greenock has had a full house of vaccine patients over the last few weeks.

Bingo 3,000 has stepped in to do its bit in the fight against coronavirus as it helps Ardgowan Medical Practice roll out the second Covid-19 jag.

Practice manager Angela Owens said she had been looking for a suitable venue for their 75+ and shielding patients and she thought the bingo hall would be ideal.

A total of 7,000 patients have been vaccinated over the last four weeks.

Angela said: "Our first vaccination roll-out was in Greenock Town Hall and at Greenock Health Centre, but when the Town Hall became a mass vaccination centre, we had to find another venue because of social distancing.

"The health and social care partnership asked if there were any venues we could use and this was one of the options.

"I knew that no-one was using the building, it was a great hall and had lots of car parking.

"I emailed the general manager Iain Woolley and within 10 minutes he called me back and within half an hour it was all organised."

Iain said he was only too happy to help.

He said: "We were delighted to do our bit.

"Angela emailed me and I said yes as we wanted to do our bit for the community.

"The club is ideal for these kind of things and we are very happy to help."

The Tele met Anne Smith, of Nelson Road in Gourock, as she received her second jab.

Anne, a high risk patient due to a stroke, said: "I didn't feel anything at all, it was perfect.

"It was the first time I had been in the bingo hall.

"It was beautiful.

"I got a lift in, but it's very central for buses."

Angela said the practice started their first inoculation clinic on January 20 and there are still some patients to receive their second injection.

The practice is awaiting more vaccine supply and they expect everyone on their books to have been immunised against Covid-19 by the end of April.

Angela said: "We are waiting for the next delivery of the vaccine.

"Iain and his staff at the bingo hall have been fabulous and we just think it would be nice for them to get some recognition.

"I also want to thank Gwen MacBride of the HSCP for helping to organise the rollout of vaccinations and all the volunteers from CVS who have been escorting patients in and out of the building.

"We had a lady who came in who was 94 and said she had never been in a bingo hall before, maybe it will encourage people to come along when it re-opens."