A FLAMBOYANT Greenock man says he has 'thrown his bunnet into the ring' as a candidate in the election because he's had enough of the decline in Inverclyde.

John Burleigh — famed locally for his distinctive choice of headwear and runs the Burns Bunnet business — literally wants to bring about a seachange in the district's fortunes with the creation of a ferry service linking us with Spain.

Mr Burleigh believes that a 'continental cruise car ferry' from Gourock to Dún Laoghaire in Ireland and onwards to Santander would herald a new era for tourism and the fisheries industry.

He said: "More than 80 per cent of Scots holiday in Spain or Portugal, a lot don't like to fly so they go by car to the south of England and onwards to the continent.

"Having a continental cruise car ferry from Gourock would be an attraction for people, and let's not forget that the Spanish holiday season runs from March to November."

Mr Burleigh added: "Presently, fisheries lorries go from Inverurie to Portsmouth then in to Europe at a cost of £7,000 for every run, leaving on a Sunday and returning the following Friday.

"Using a ferry service from Gourock would cut the travel time, and the cost, by half.

"Gourock was strategically important during the Second World War and it could be again, not just for Inverclyde but the whole country."

The independent candidate says that Inverclyde would become attractive to visitors as a result of his ambitious idea and that there could be a positive spin-off.

He said: "The Mariners' Home which recently closed is an iconic building and would make a fantastic five-star hotel.

"We have the ability to transform our economy.

"That's why I've thrown my bunnet into the ring — no-one else has the vision for it.

"It's also because I've had enough of the way Inverclyde has been allowed to deteriorate over the years.

"It reminds me of A Tale of Two Cities, because at one time we were very prosperous and a leading port not just in Britain but in the whole of Europe."

Mr Burleigh — who is a supporter of the Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock — is also demanding no new house building projects on Greenock's historical dock areas.

He said: "Greenock could become the hub for constructing and exporting wind turbines, and we're right next to the motorway.

"There must be a moratorium on building houses on places such as James Watt Dock because, when you do that, bang goes a commercial area.

"I don't want any more asset-stripping in this way because once it goes into housing you've lost it forever."

Mr Burleigh, a former teacher, also wants to see more opportunities for young people to live and prosper in Inverclyde.

He said: "I want more start-up chances for young entrepreneurs to help them get on the ladder and create employment for others.

"Young people are creative, resilient and have bags of energy."

Mr Burleigh, dismayed at how Greenock town centre has been 'decimated', is seeking a 'proper tax' on companies such as Amazon in order to 'help balance what's happening to our high streets'.

On the so-called 'gig economy' he said: "People have got to be given a fair wage and a proper pension.

"Employment would go a long way to sorting out the drug situation.

"People want to work - no-one wants to go to foodbanks and live on handouts, self-esteem is crushed by unemployment.

"We can solve our own issues."

Mr Burleigh said: "Up until 1950 half of the world's ships were built on the Clyde — that's how far we have fallen.

"It's high time we unlocked the undoubted and real potential of Inverclyde."