THE first ever eco summit of its kind in Inverclyde has brought the fight to save the planet closer to home.

A special summit held at the Beacon called Take Pride in Inverclyde brought local leaders, school pupils, major employers and volunteers all under one roof to come up with a local plan to help fight climate change.

Hosts Literati Guide to Inverclyde created a thought-provoking event, bringing art and the environment together to shock people into action, with almost 50 delegates in attendance.

Taking centre stage was footage of a woodland walk with trees littered with dog poo bags, plastic bottles and discarded PPE items.

Then all the delegates were confronted with some of the rubbish recently picked up by activists - including everything from exercise bikes to a 30ft tennis net.

In the end there was a real promise of change, with three big challenges identified to be tackled head on.

Organiser Stephen Henry said: "It was a hugely successful summit.

"After presentations the group voted and agreed the top three local challenges were less waste, creating pride in Inverclyde and to educate and communicate with young people.

"We are proud of the Literati Guide volunteer team for putting this together in such a short period of time and suspect a follow up may be needed to drive the actions agreed to deal with the local top three challenges, so watch this space."

The summit was highlighted in the Tele in the run-up to taking place and it created a big reaction with those taking part hailing the event as groundbreaking.

The event attracted senior Inverclyde Council officials, marine planners, reprsentatives from Amazon, Ardgowan Estate, the Marine Conservation Society, Scottish Water, Clyde Fisherman’s Association and local plastics firm BPI.

The literati group were joined by local politicians, including MP Ronnie Cowan, Stuart McMillan MSP and local councillors Michael McCormick and Ciano Rebecchi.

Mr Cowan, who has joined the groups out on litter picks, said: "There was a very healthy mix of people from within the Inverclyde community and beyond.

"A major part of my job is listening to the views of my constituents and taking advice from experts.

"This event facilitated both and I found it to be a hugely worthwhile evening.

"Going forward we need to focus on specific issues that the community can address together and contribute to Inverclyde becoming cleaner and greener”.

The event was organised with support from the Beacon, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Scottish Water, Inverclyde Community Fund and Cardwell Garden Centre.

Pupils from Notre Dame and Clydeview Academy were also closely involved in the event, with Nina Kirk from Clydeview and Adam Kelly from Notre Dame opening it.

There were presentations from Mr Henry and Vicky Cookson, both of Literati Guide to Inverclyde, and Heather McLaughlin from Keep Scotland Beautiful, Kenny Lang of Inverclyde Council and Zoe Weir, from Friends of Dumbarton Foreshore.

After voting on the priorities they split into three groups to discuss ways to take on the challenges.

David Whiteside, of contributors Digit-AI Integration, said: "It was a great night with some impressive individuals with a genuine will to improve Inverclyde."