A DEDICATED community activist has thrown his hat in the ring to stand for the local elections.

Paul Travers, a former chair of Larkfield & Branchton Community Council, will run as an independent in Ward 6.

He says he has the right experience to serve local people, as he knows what the issues are in his patch.

Mr Travers, who runs his own taxi transport company, said: "I served as chair of the community council from 2009 to 2015 and again in 2019.

"In that time I worked with elected councillors from all parties.

"Being chair of the community council has given me invaluable experience that will help me deliver as a councillor."

Paul says he has worked alongside various council departments, housing agencies, community wardens, community groups and police to help people and better his area.

He is currently volunteering as vice chair of Greenock South West Community Council.

He said: "If elected, I would be a well-known face in the community.

"I will be hard working and committed to Ward 6 and to the wider Inverclyde community.

"I have campaigned for improved school transport provisions for the area and taken part in many consultations - for the new prison site, IBM site, on the closure of local police offices, always on behalf of the ward 6 community.

"I have also consulted with the local community through door-to-door surveys and by using online polls."

Mr Travers says the wide range of enquiries he has dealt with would leave him well equipped to serve as an elected member.

He has campaigned for Larkfield and Braeside play parks, bus shelters at Inverclyde Royal, the demolition of Cumberland Walk, to keep school transport in Ward 6 and prevent the closure of Youth Connections at Burns Square.

He told the Tele: "I have dealt with resident complaints in all parts of the area, including on street lighting, hedges, dog fouling, roads, flooding problems and housing issues, all the things that are pertinent to the community."

"I know what it takes to represent the residents of Ward 6 and I know what it needs.

"It will be growing in the coming years with the new developments at Spango Valley and Inverkip Power Station.

"I will work with resident and community groups to find solutions to the issues these large developments will bring with them."