A NEW heritage project aims to capture memories of the Blitz from survivors and create a lasting legacy of the tragedy 80 years on.

Belville Community Garden is to collect stories from care home residents and older people in the area who recall the infamous two nights when bombs rained down on the east end.

It is part of a £69,000 Heritage Lottery-funded project to take a wider look at the area's Second World War efforts and shipbuilding.

Belville Street was one of the very first targets as the Germans attacked from the skies.

The bombardment killed 329 men, women and children, injuring hundreds more and leaving scenes of terrible devastation behind.

Community garden manager Laura Reilly said: "We want to hear people's stories, because it is our very last chance.

"It is so important that we carry on the memories.

"We are based where the bombs hit.

"People were running to shelters and the bombers were chasing them down the streets.

"We will speak to people who were there, or have stories that were passed on to them by parents and grandparents."

Belville Community Gardens has trained up volunteers to record the stories.

Staff member Adrian Scott, who is a history graduate and has been involved in community projects is passionate about the project.

She will be leading the collection of people's accounts of the horrors of May 6 and 7 and the legacy it left.

Adrian said: "The Greenock Blitz is such a significant part of our history.

"It is so important that we recognise our heritage and learn more about it.

"We will go on to look at the impact of the Second World War and then shipbuilding as well.

"It is hugely exciting and something I am proud to be part of."

The community garden had launched the project as part of the 80th anniversary commemorations before it was interrupted by the Covid pandemic.

Now Laura and her team hope to kickstart it, working closely with the care homes, as public health restrictions are eased.