A NEW £30,000 eco project is making a splash and bringing some colour to an historic Greenock harbourside.

The 'Pocket Places' scheme at East India Harbour has included the installation of wildflower meadows, planters and seating areas to make the waterfront more appealing.

It is part of a wider bid to improve accessibility, with the project run in conjunction with Belville Community Gardens, Sustrans and other organisations including local groups.

Now those behind it hope to develop the site further by including facilities for people such as the anglers who regularly go to the harbour to catch fish.

John McLennan, of Belville Community Garden, looks after the planters which have been put in place.

He said: "The harbour is looking great now and it has been a very worthwhile project to be part of.

"Now we are looking at ways to improve on it.

"This is a very popular fishing spot and there is a real community feel there, but there are no facilities for the anglers and that is something we want to change.

"We are looking at creating a shelter and providing some running water as well.

"It is a work in progress."

The project, led by Sustrans and Inverclyde Council, was first launched in 2019.

But just as it was getting started, the pandemic arrived and brought everything grinding to a halt.

Now that restrictions have been lifted the improvements are noticeable.

In addition to the planters and wildflowers installed on the site, local cultural and creative group Rig Arts has put public artworks in place as well.

Paul Ruffles, principal urban designer with Sustrans Scotland, said: “This project has led to more seating, greenery and play features being installed on a redundant site at East India Harbour.

"We’d like to thank Peel L&P Group, Inverclyde Council and Bellville Community Garden Trust for their support and practical assistance in enabling this project to be delivered."