Online performances by Inverclyde musicians are being viewed as far afield as Spain and Canada

Greenock musician George Carson launched a showcase called 'Boat Club Sessions - lockdown edition' on Facebook and it has taken off.

George has been hosting monthly sessions at the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club on the Esplanade ever since 2011, but the music had to stop last year due to coronavirus restrictions.

When members of the group said how much they missed the songs, George decided to set up an virtual version.

Now, on the last Sunday of every month, he assembles a merry band of performers for an afternoon of music and song on Facebook.

George says as well as helping people stay in touch, the group is giving people inspiration and motivation to keep playing.

The musician said: "We didn't do anything for the first two months of lockdown but then I realised that people were really missing it.

"I started to think 'I wonder if we could do this online' and it just went from there.

"I wanted to do something to keep people entertained and keep us all connected.

"It's really helped keep people interested and motivated, as it given them something to work to every month.

"If people know they're going to be performing, they will be working on new songs and preparing for the gig.

"We're a wee community in our own right."

Club member Gavin Stewart helped George set up the monthly Facebook events.

Members volunteer for a slot in one of the sessions - which run for two hours on the last Sunday of every month.

George welcomes performers of all ages and abilities and a range of styles.

Musicians who play in the session can perform live on the Facebook page or send in a video of their performance.

Around 30 people are currently actively involved in performing but the Facebook page has more than 200 members.

George knows there are people logging on from Spain and Canada but suspects that the tunes are reaching even further around the globe.

Some of the more well-known performers in the sessions include Gordon McKenzie, Shelagh Mckay Jones, Davy Nicol and Barrie Kelly.

As the Boat Club Sessions approaches their 10th anniversary, George hopes to be able to continue with the online offering even when the face-to-face events are back up and running.

He said: "Performers can see all the messages of support from people on the page there and then and obviously you can't do that in real time when you're at the boat club, so it's great for motivating people."