INVERCLYDE'S MP has vowed to help a local family trying to get their relatives out of a war-torn Gaza.

The Tele told this week how local mum Rasha Ramadan and her family are trying to raise money to get her uncles, aunts and cousins - who are trapped in Rafah - to safety.

Ronnie Cowan says he will give his 'wholehearted support for any effort to get families out of Gaza and taken to a safe environment'.

He added: "The people of Inverclyde are known for their humanity and people here will rally to this cause.

"Rasha makes the point very eloquently that 1.4 million people are trapped in an area the size of a big airport.

"As well as having no access to basic medical facilities, they have no provision for hygiene or power and have no way of escaping a modern military onslaught from land and air.

"Famine is now becoming a real concern and that makes the situation even more unacceptable.

"I have spoken at Westminster and in the constituency to call for a ceasefire and an end to the collective punishment of Palestinian men, women and children for the October atrocities carried out by the Hamas terror group against defenceless civilians."

Mr Cowan has told the Tele how he has been inundated by locals concerned by the situation in Gaza.

He added: "In my time as an MP few issues have gripped my constituents the way that Gaza has, and I continue to support local fundraising efforts. My office will help this campaign in any way possible."