THE widow of a legendary late Italian cafe boss is selling on his cherished personalised car registration plates to raise cash for a cause close to her heart.

Wilma Talacchia, from Greenock, wants to help Ardgowan Hospice in memory of her husband, the much-loved former Aldo's chef Germano, who was known as Geri.

She is auctioning the private plates which took pride of place on Geri's cars over the years.

It is an organisation that is special to the family, with the hospice giving Wilma's son Luca, who has additional support needs, the chance to volunteer there.

The hospice staff also nursed her best friend before she sadly lost her battle with cancer.

Wilma, 63, from Fort Matilda Place, said: "I want to auction the plates and donate the money to charity.

"Geri was so well known in the town and we miss him so much.

"The hospice means a lot to our family, as they helped Luca and gave him a job.

"My best friend Isabel Rossini also lost her fight with cancer and the hospice helped her too.

"It is such a great charity which does wonderful work in our community."

Wilma, who used to work in a used cars garage, gave the plates to Geri as a gift because of the GER lettering.

Greenock cafe owner Geri, who was originally from Ancona, died aged 79 after a long battle with dementia.

Geri, born in 1941, developed his chef skills whilst serving in the Italian military and he came to Scotland in 1967.

After working at Castle Levan in Gourock, he made his name locally at Aldo's on West Blackhall Street.

He was an integral member of the strong local Italian community, along with his business partner Raffaele Chessa.

After 'retiring' at the age of 65, Geri went on to run The Bluebird Cafe in Gourock with Wilma for five years.

Wilma and sons Germano and Luca cared for Geri as he fought dementia, eventually moving into the Belleaire House care home before he passed away in April 2020.