A golden celebration was held to mark the 50th anniversary of Father Jim Ferguson who founded the Jericho Society.

Father Jim was joined by Father Patrick Mullen at the Jericho's women's house in Shankland Road to mark the occasion.

Father, who has spent half a decade in the priesthood, was moved by the plight of men sleeping rough in Greeenock where he had been posted as a curate in 1970.

After briefly taking over work at the Greenock Night Shelter, with the help of volunteers from the parish, Jericho opened it's first house in Ardgowan Square, Greenock, on September 8, 1971.

This house gave shelter to mothers and their children who were often the victims of husbands with alcohol addiction.

Support for Jericho's work grew in Port Glasgow and Gourock, both areas bordering Greenock.

Jericho, as well as a house for women, it also has a male house in Bank Street.

The two priests were welcomed by manager Margaret Diamond her staff and residents.

Margaret said: " This was a special day appreciating and expressing gratitude for all the hard work and determination that Father Jim and the brothers have put into rehabilitation units all over the UK, saving so many lives and bringing families back together in the process."

"All the Jericho staff, ex residents, families, St Vincent de Paul and the Inverclyde community will be forever grateful for Father Jim, he is definitely one in a million."