AN Inverclyde drinks guru is proving some-gin special as he prepares to take his locally-branded creation to a global market.

The Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has been helping Shipyard Gin - a Gourock-based liquor brand which launched last month - explore the possibility of exporting its shipbuilding-inspired drink to lucrative marketplaces in the Italy and the United States.

Founder Andy Samuel initially approached the chamber while looking for guidance on exporting to the States - and they suggested that he also get involved with their virtual trade mission to Italy.

The mission was organised through the chamber's International Trade Partnership (ITP) programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government.

Through it the local organisation looks to boost international opportunities for local businesses to move into the overseas market.

Meetings for the Italian mission are currently underway and will be completed by the end of the month.

Businesses from Italy's Puglia region will be meeting with representatives of Shipyard Gin to discuss the possibility of making the drink available in their stores.

Andy told the Tele that it had been great to lean on the chamber's knowledge and get advice on how to expand.

He said: "I never in a million years would have thought I had a gin brand that could make such an impression - and I definitely never thought exporting it would be an option.

"I didn't even know where to begin and that's where the chamber stepped in.

"We were just going to launch locally and then try to go further afield to Glasgow and then perhaps across Scotland and the rest of the UK."

"Going global was never an option until the chamber presented it. It could be transformational for the business."

The chamber's trade missions are available to any business registered in locally with a turnover of under £7m.

The Italian virtual mission is the second undertaken this year, with a similar partnership with Columbia hatched back in June.