PACKED playschemes are keeping kids entertained as the school summer holiday takes full flight.

Youngsters flocked to Aileymill Primary to get the holidays started in style with lots of games and activities in every session.

The summer playschemes run by Inverclyde Leisure at six hubs across the area have been made free of charge for all, and youngsters have been flocking to them.

The no-cost sessions are part of £150,000 package to help families during this year's break, which comes at a time where household pressures on finance are tight.

Play leader Corinne McQuillan, who will be overseeing things in the Larkfield school for the next few weeks, said: "We just want to make it as much fun as possible for everyone who comes along.

"We have so much planned and will make good use of the school's outdoor sport facilities as well.

"The first few days were just about getting to know one another and we started off with some games of dodge ball.

"It is great to be able to welcome everyone back to the playschemes again.

"I am hoping we will go from strength to strength throughout the summer.

"It is brilliant that we are able to offer all of this to families for free."

Maci Storie, 10, from Wemyss Bay, said: "It's great fun, I am loving it.

"It is good to have something like this to do during the holidays."

Before the summer break Inverclyde Council took the unanimous decision to scrap fees and make the six summer playscheme hubs free for all.

The sessions are running at Newark, Kilmacolm, St Patrick's, Aileymill, Moorfoot and Inverkip primaries along with the Auchmountain Centre.

Inverclyde Council is also funding free places at Youth Connections, Craigend and Branchton community centres and the Play4all hub.

There are also pre-booked extended childcare places - with priority given to families on the lowest incomes - running at four of the venues.