A CARING community campaigner will be presented with an award after tending the graves of brave servicemen who sacrificed their lives for their country.

Marilyn Cameron, 72, decided to care for the final resting places of the war dead when she spotted a headstone while visiting her mother Lily's grave in Port Glasgow Cemetery.

She visits the cemetery at least once a week and is now looking after 22 war graves there, including some of young men as young as 19 who died during WW2.

Marilyn, of Auchenbothie Road, said: "It is something that must be done.

"These young men fought for their country - what would have happened to us, if it hadn't been for them?

"I just feel it's so sad that some of the dead don't have anyone to to lay flowers at their grave.

"As a community I think it is something that we should do for them."

Marilyn says she finds peace at the cemetery and feels she is doing something worthwhile by looking after the plots.

Her efforts have now been recognised by Alison Bunce of the Compassionate Inverclyde organisation.

Alison is keen to give Marilyn a kindness award.

She said: "I would like to recognise Marilyn for the work she does.

"It is an incredibly kind thing to do.

"Marilyn was visiting her mum's grave, she noticed the war graves and she recognised these people had fought for their country and it was important that they are remembered."

Port councillor Chris Curley has also praised Marilyn and says he is pleased to see her earning some well-deserved recognition.

He said: "It is a community-minded thing to do and I would like to commend Marilyn for her actions.

"It is a nice gesture remembering soldiers who no longer have families to tend their graves.

"The War Graves Commission has volunteers who carry out this work and I would urge anyone else who is interested to contact the commission."