A FORMER pharmacist believes she has the correct prescription to help her home town and boost local people's health.

Sandra Reynolds, 65, is standing for election for the SNP in ward 5 Inverclyde West.

The former GP practice pharmacist, who was head of science at James Watt College for a number of years, wants to use her public sector knowledge to help promote wellbeing, saying it will be 'at the top of my agenda as a councillor'.

She said: "I think that the environment plays a major role in health.

"I want to use my knowledge and insights to bring about solutions to the health problems that have to be addressed."

Sandra was brought up in Gourock and attended Gourock Primary, Gourock High and Greenock Academy before going on to study at the University of Strathclyde.

She worked in the public sector for 44 years and her many high-profile roles included local GP practice pharmacist in a ground-breaking pilot project.

In 2001, she helped Scottish Enterprise bring biotechnology education to Inverclyde, and later set up a care home pharmacy service across NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

Sandra also worked with Macmillan Cancer Support on a palliative care project, ran a series of chronic pain clinics, and worked as a locum.

If elected, Sandra says she wants to see Inverclyde's coastline used in the production of green energy, and to help local businesses reach their net zero targets.

She added: "Good health is underpinned by 'going green'.

"We need to bring in valuable green energy jobs to the local area, which will be a good thing for people and for the environment."

Sandra's vision also includes the transformation of parts of Gourock.

She added: "There are neglected areas across Gourock that have suffered from lack of attention over the last few years.

"There seems to have been no drive to find solutions to problem areas like Shore Street.

"I would like to see our promenade enhanced by continuing the development at the waterfront in Greenock all along the coastline.

"There's so much in terms of untapped resource in the area."

Sandra says becoming a councillor in Inverclyde is the logical next step in her career journey as she is passionate about the place where she was brought and up,

She added: "I'm not ready to stop working and this seems like a natural extension of the public roles I've been in previously.

"I love living here, this is my life and my community.

"My three children live here with their families and I can't imagine living anywhere else."

The election takes place on Thursday May 5.