A PORT Glasgow community campaigner is calling for people who were buried in unmarked graves to be given the dignity of a memorial.

Marilyn Cameron, who regularly attends to her mother Lily's grave in the town's cemetery, is highlighting sections of the cemetery where people who couldn't afford to pay for a burial were laid to rest.

She hopes that a memorial can be erected in their honour.

Marilyn, of Auchenbothie Road, who's on the committee of Slaemuir Tenants' & Residents' Association and also tends war graves, said: "I want all these people to be remembered and for us to at least know where they are buried.

"I have friends in Canada and America whose families are buried here but they don't know where they are.

"I just think it is so sad.

"I don't think it would cost the council much to put up a plaque."

Councillor Chris Curley is backing the call for a new memorial and says there should be something to remember not only people buried in Port Glasgow but in other cemeteries across Inverclyde.

This view has been supported by the council and there are moves to put such a tribute in place.

Mr Curley said: "I have made a formal request for officials to bring a report to the environment and regeneration committee, to identify where these graves are and options for a memorial on cemeteries throughout Inverclyde."

Council bosses have confirmed there is a common ground area in a section of the older part of the Port graveyard - the first row in from the cemetery wall and halfway along from the Glasgow Road entrance.

They also confirmed that there is another which has unmarked graves of babies.

A spokesman for Inverclyde Council said: "We’re currently investigating areas within our cemeteries where there are common graves with a view to placing a memorial marker.

"Historical record keeping wasn’t as detailed as it is now, so information relating to common ground before the 1970s is sketchy.

"Records show names of people but no specific section or lair number to identify locations."