AN eyesore pile of rubbish which had been strewn near shops in Port Glasgow for a month has been cleared after the Tele highlighted the 'ridiculous' mess.

Inverclyde Council bosses ordered an immediate clean-up of the area at Dubbs Road in the wake of our publication of pictures of the ugly sight.

Councillor David Wilson had demanded answers after local man Peter McIntyre told how he'd made repeated calls in vain for something to be done.

Both the council and River Clyde Homes said they were not responsible for the strip of privately-owned land between a Chinese takeaway and the shops.

But the local authority stepped in to clean it up on Monday after seeking clarification about who owns it — and also issued a public warning to the landowner.

Councillor Wilson said: "Praise is due to the Greenock Telegraph and my constituent Mr McIntyre for pursuing this eyesore on private land and the council for clearing it up.

"The prompt action by the council was welcome in order to maintain the environment of the Dubbs Road shops, the fourth largest shopping centre in Inverclyde."

Mr McIntyre said he was 'very pleased' that action had been taken at last.

But he added: "I'm disappointed that it has taken having to get the Tele and Councillor Wilson involved before anything was done.

"I used to work for the council and as far as I'm concerned council workers out and about should see these things and report them back whether it's private land or not.

"It should have been dealt with after my first call to the council.

"I'd like to see Inverclyde cleaner in general."

A council spokesman said: "We cleared the area on Monday, however, the land is privately owned, neither by the council or River Clyde Homes, and the landowner will be responsible for keeping the area tidy in future."

Meanwhile, Dubbs Road could be in for another appearance boost following our report.

Cllr Wilson said: "The shop signs, erected some ten years ago, are looking a wee bit tired and I have asked the council if some town centre regeneration monies can be used to upgrade them."