A COUPLE whose original creations have been snapped up by the likes of Gordon Ramsay and John Hartson showed off their wares in Gourock's pop-up shop.

Keith and Elaine Banks, owners of Driftwood Interiors, set up in the Kempock Street space up recently - and attracted a flurry of customers.

The entrepreneurs got the idea for the business when they left behind a life in Spain to move back to the UK in 2007.

Keith explained: "The recession hit and money was really tight.

"We went out walking on a beach in Southport and found a bit of driftwood, which we turned into part of a piece of furniture for our house.

"That was where it all started. We just started scouring the shorelines for things we could reuse.

"Over the last 15 years, we've built the business up and exhibited at shows all over the UK." 

Keith and Elaine, supported by sons Mark and Grant, make a whole range of one-off items including mirrors, furniture and shelves from things they find on beaches.

Some of the pieces are made from wood they have discovered at Lunderston Bay and on the shore near to Battery Park.

Elaine said coronavirus lockdown was actually a positive for the business.

She added: "So many people were shopping online, so we saw a real boost to trade.

"While we were open in Gourock, we had lots of local people pop in and lots of interest from cruise ship passengers, which was great."

To celebrate their time in the town, the couple raffled off a heart made from pieces of wood collected from Prestwick and Ballantrae, with the cash raised donated to the Samaritans in Inverclyde.