A BRAND new Kilmacolm bookshop has enjoyed a purr-fect first nine days in business - and fulfilled a lifelong dream for its owner.

The Ginger Cat, a newly-opened venture in Kilmacolm focusing on children's literature, welcomed its first customers at the end of November and followed up with a special launch event from the community on Saturday.

Customers flocked to the store to browse owner Aileen Jeffrey's carefully curated collections.

In addition to children's books, the shop also stocks stories suitable for young adults, as well as a variety of eco-friendly toys.

Launching the venture is a dream come true for Aileen, who previously worked as a health visitor for the NHS,

The entrepreneur has never owned a business before and was inspired to give it a go when a friend won the lottery.

She said: "I heard about their win and that got me thinking about what I would do if I got lucky.

"My dream was always to open and run my own bookshop and then, of course, my next thought was 'so why don't I?'.

"I contacted Business Gateway and Transmit Startup Loans for advice on grants and set-up - and now here I am."

The Ginger Cat has already had a number of returning customers, including children from the local primary schools who were involved in a competition the shop ran as part of Book Week Scotland prior to opening.

Primary school pupils from St Columba's and Kilmacolm Primary were invited to design a bookmark that will be gifted to the shop's customers throughout December.

The talented winners were asked along to the shop by Aileen to pick out a free book and see around the new store.

The bookmarks designed by the pupils proved so popular that Aileen had completely run out by the end of her first week.

Aileen told the Tele that the people of Kilmacolm have given her a warm welcome.

She said: "The response has been great. It s nice to see a traditional shop selling something that has been around for so long and people responding to positively.

"People have been keen to have a bookshop in the village for a long time and loads of people from the Christmas markets have come over and browsed what we have on offer.

"Working with the local schools was definitely something I had in mind when I set out, and that has been a big hit.

"I'll continue to work with them to see what events we can run and how we can encourage local children to get interested in reading."