THE new owners of a busy local bar have paid tribute to Greenock acting star Martin Compston in a striking outdoor mural.

The Old Bank has reopened under new tenant, Jo Bothwell and has a new look in its outdoor beer garden.

The publican wanted to pay tribute to actor Martin and commissioned Elderslie artist Chris Oates to create a mural of him.

After a fellow graffiti artist claimed the design was too similar to their's, Chris has 'reimagined' the William Street wall mural and plans to turn it into a tribute to Martin's most-famous character, DC Steve Arnott from Line of Duty.

Chris said: "I've been an artist for 12 years, so when Jo asked me to paint the mural on the wall I was delighted.

"I've also depicted James Watt and other local landmarks on other walls in the beer garden.

"It's had such a good response and people have been really positive about it.

"I decided just to change it to save any bother.

"Jo and I are in talks with what we could do to turn it into a Line of Duty tribute instead."

The Greenock pub has been busy since reopening, and new landlord Jo hopes to shake it up.

Jo, who also owns a pub in Paisley, told the Tele: "I've been in this industry for 20 years and had wanted to expand to Inverclyde, so as soon as I got to see how beautiful the building was I had to take it on.

"I want to put a real focus on live music - so as soon as we get the go-ahead, we want local bands to perform each week.

"Hopefully it'll be somewhere that is family-friendly, but also where people can come and have a catch up with friends.

"I want to steer it away from the football background and make it a really welcoming place with a good atmosphere."

After the mural was unveiled, Martin praised the pub.

Martin said: "For all the lovely folk sending me pictures in front of it, it really does put a smile on my coupon.

"Huge thanks to Old Bank Bar, I'm genuinely chuffed."