A POPULAR Gourock shop worker who has clocked up nearly 50 years with the Co-op will be behind the counter when they open their new £700k store.

John McInulty has been in the Shore Street branch for 40 years, going above and beyond to help customers every single day.

From walking from his home in the east of Greenock every day to delivering shopping to door, sorting out newspapers and delivering milk to the frontline staff in the GP surgery, he has become a well know stalwart in the town.

Store manager Michael Grant is delighted to be taking John with him to continue to keep serving and supporting the community.

The 65-year-old said: "It is obviously a big step moving to a new store, I have been here for a long time.

"I walk here and back from my house in Sinclair Street every day.

"I love my job and speaking to everyone who comes into the shop.

"I like to know all the customers have their shopping.

Store manager Michael Grant says he is delighted to be taking John and all the staff to the new branch on Cardwell Road.

He said: "John is a legend, everyone knows him.

"He is such a familiar face in Gourock - forty nine years is a long time to work anywhere.

"John loves his football and we even had the Morton manager Dougie Imrie popping in here to say hello to him."

Michael has managed many of the local branches from Port Glasgow to Wemyss Bay since moving to the area five years ago.

He has helped encourage staff and customers to raise thousands of pounds for local good causes every year.

From Starter Packs, Children in Poverty to the local scouts, they have all benefited from funding.

Michael added: "I am also looking to link up with local schools to see how we can help them.

"We want to do as much as we can for the community we are in."

There will be a workforce of 25 at the new store as the current Cardwell Road one closes along with Shore Street.

Michael hopes more opportunities will open up, helping to support the town at an important time.

He added: "We have already taken on new staff and once we are set up I would like to take on more.

"With Amazon closing we would like to offer opportunities.

"I have recently taken on younger people and they are absolutely brilliant, we are loving having them working with us."