WORK is underway to clear overgrown land at the side of an iconic Greenock church.

Dead trees were felled, and bushes cleared, opening up a view of St Laurence's Church from the road.

It is hoped following the extensive clean up operation that the ground will eventually be transformed into a community garden.

Parish priest Father Eoin Patten said: "There were tenements there and after they were demolished the ground had been overgrown over the years.

"Most of the trees had seeded on their own, and a few of them were dead."

Father Patten said that the grounds clearance was part of a larger project to carry out repairs on the A-listed Church with help from the Lottery Heritage Fund.

He said: "Hopefully a grant would help us to do that and landscape the ground around the church.

"Let people see the church in all its glory and create a decent community garden."