AMBITIOUS £1 million plans to restore Gourock Park to its former glory have been unveiled.

Gourock councillors say they are delighted that there will be a new Pets Pavilion in the middle of the park and lighting at the entrance, with some 'low level' illumination in the wooded area.

These improvements will link in with an overall upgrade of the park which will include, a putting green, crazy golf course and tennis courts.

Councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld said: "All the pet enclosures will be replaced and taken away from the boundary wall, which will allow an inspection of the wall.

"This will allow survey work of the wall to be carried out to assess its safety, which makes sense."

His fellow independent Lynne Quinn says the new animal house will be located in the middle of the park and that this will be much more suitable.

She said: "It means families can walk round and get 360 degree views of the animals.

"We are also upgrading the toilets, there will be a toilet pavilion with a 'changing places' facility - these have extra space and equipment so the park is fully accessible to people with disabilities, especially to people who are attending events in the amphitheatre."

Councillor Quinn said she noticed at previous events that the park was quite dark which made access difficult for people.

She said: "We need new proper lighting to make the park accessible and at the events space and also low level lighting along the paths that the trust volunteers have cleared.

"There is an issue with kids from each of the high schools crossing the park and making sure they are safe."

The £75,000 Pets Pavilion has been funded by Inverclyde Council while the lighting costing £40,000 will be paid for from the Covid Recovery Fund.

Cllr Ahlfeld said: "We want to extend the use of the park and of the amphitheatre and restore the way it used to be.

"This is only one part of the plan.

"The community development trust have done a great job clearing paths in the wood.

"We are hoping to get it done by the time we get the tennis courts, putting green and crazy golf up and running in the spring.

"Generations of families have enjoyed this park over the years and we want this to continue."