A GREENOCK man who has been writing poetry about Inverclyde for 40 years is looking for a publisher to get his work into the public domain so that he can use it to support local charity.

Charles Fisher, 61, says his work is inspired by the river, the shipyards, nature and the district's rich history.

The dad-of-two, who lives in Braeside, has been quite prolific over the years but wants to get his work out to a wider audience.

Wordsmith Charles, who works as a grounds maintenance assistant at Inverclyde Royal Hospital, said: "I've been writing poems for over 40 years.

"It's just a wee hobby I have."

His volume of work includes verse on the demise of the shipyards and all that was lost along with them.

It also features local landmark Lyle Hill and a short poem about the Drummer Boy, in a reference to Drummer's Close.

Charles, who has two-grown-up sons, is an avid reader of poetry and says his favourite writers are Robert Frost and Norman McCaig.

He said: "I enjoy reading poetry, it inspires me.

"My wife Maureen is also very supportive of my writing."

Charles was also thrilled when one of his poems appeared alongside the 'fantastic' mural which was created last year at the staff access corridor at Inverclyde Royal.

The impressive garden-themed piece was created and painted by local artist Jim Strachan and Charles helped provide a final flourish to it.

He told the Tele: "Jim had heard that I wrote poems, so I wrote a little one to go with the mural.

"I felt so proud to see my poem next to Jim's mural. He used calligraphy to add the words."

If anyone wants more information about Charles' work and is interested in working with him to publish it, they can get in contact with him by emailing maureen.fisher1@ntlworld.com