HI-TECH heroes have stepped in to rescue Inverclyde's beloved music festival following fears it could fold.

Festival bosses had made a desperate plea in May for people with digital and technical skills to come forward and help them modernise the event ahead of next year's event.

They said that without new recruits the annual gala, which has run in the area for 108 years, would not be able to go ahead.

Members of the event's committee have today revealed that the local staple will definitely be back in January thanks to the efforts of new volunteers.

Local teacher Finlay Campbell, who competed in the festival's first ever piping class almost two decades ago, has been working with IT experts and social media gurus to give the festival a new digital dimension.

Anne McGregor, honorary secretary of the festival, told the Tele: "None of us on the committee really had the skills to move things online, but I think it was quite good that we realised and didn't try to do it all ourselves.

"Although we knew it was the way to go we were very worried about it.

"We were terribly disappointed when we had to pull the festival in January 2021 due to lockdown.

"We're overjoyed that it's actually going to happen this year and we're looking forward now to the 100th festival in 2027.

"For young people and children it's a way into heritage, singing and performing.

"It's lovely when people win, but it's really all about taking part.

"We want them to go away from the festival thinking about how great it was and how they want to come back next year."

Finlay has worked in collaboration with local digital marking company Tweetiepie and a host of other helpers to revamp the festival's website, develop a new online entry system and bolster its social media presence.

He added: "I saw the Greenock Telegraph article about the festival's situation and thought there was something I could do.

"I have a lot of fond memories of the festival and as a teacher myself I see it's hugely important in the community to give children and young adults an opportunity to perform, learn and succeed.

"Personally I'd love to see my own two young boys take part one day.

"I'm just giving back, the festival has got a hugely positive bright future.

"All of the festival's syllabus will be easier to communicate with the public and schools using an online platform.

"I hope we get as many participants as we can."

The finishing touches are now being put on the new website, with festival bosses hoping to launch the page in time to coincide with the return of local schools.

Isabel Lind, honorary president of the festival, said they were lucky that talented volunteers had stepped up.

She added: "Our knight in shining armour Finlay has liaised with Tweetiepie to create our website.

"The article in the Telegraph and the open night we held was a big help in getting people to help.

"There are still people who reached out to us about helping that we haven't contacted yet, but we will contact them because they're definitely needed.

"It was very encouraging to see so many people come forward and I would like to get younger people involved now that we're on digital platforms.

"I'm thinking of perhaps the sixth years from our local secondary schools getting involved, to become ambassadors for the festival.

"That's the next step and the website will make that easier.

"We're not finished but this is a great start."