INVERCLYDE was centre stage a decade ago when top TV show 'Waterloo Road' rolled into town and took over one of the area's largest school buildings.

The drama was already a smash hit when the full production relocated from down south to the former Greenock Academy on Madeira Street.

Back in spring 2012 people were celebrity spotting as actors like Alec Newman, Chelsee Healey and Jaye Jacobs could be found on set and out and about.

The camera, cast and crew stayed for three years, until the school bell rang for the last time.

A decade on its stint in Greenock has left a lasting legacy, having put Inverclyde firmly on the map with TV executives.

Since then a steady stream of film companies have come to the area to film here.

Back then youngsters Neve Campbell and Marissa Roxburgh from Greenock had the honour of officially opening the film set that put Inverclyde on the map.

Marissa, now 21, and a community development student at Glasgow University, said: "I can’t quite believe it was 10 years ago.

"I remember reading in the Telegraph that Waterloo Road was coming to Greenock and I was really excited as I loved the show.

"When I found out I'd won the opportunity to go and cut the ribbon to the set I was ecstatic.

"I think it was a great thing for the area - it brought tourism as I had friends who at the time came down to Greenock to see the school.

"I’d also say that it brought a buzz to the area, it was always exciting to see the filming at different spots in the area."

Marissa was 11-years-old when she was nominated to open Waterloo Road and a pupil at Highlanders' Academy.

She sadly lost her mum at the same age and moved to Barrhead to live with her aunt.

Marissa now sits on the national board of the Who Cares Scotland, which supports young people leaving care and recently joined the First Minister representing the charity at the Kiltwalk.

Alongside Marissa back in 2012 was then-Moorfoot Primary pupil Neve Campbell.

Now a 20-year-old fashion student in London Neve, who works part-time with Dior, said: "I was 11 at the time and it was brilliant to be involved.

"I loved watching Waterloo Road and I was a big fan.

"There was a competition in the Tele and I was nominated to take part in the official opening.

"Everywhere you went you used to see the crew filming and the actors.

"It was really exciting at the time."

Now Neve is in her final year at London College of Fashion and plans to stay in the capital and carve out a career.

Waterloo Road moved to Greenock to film in series eight and the show continued for two more runs until it was decided in 2015 to wrap it up after the tenth series.

Last September the show was recommissioned for an eleventh series, with production returning to the Greater Manchester area.

During the show's spell in Inverclyde star Rebecca Craven spoke of her love for the area.

She said: “I joined the cast in the first episode when we moved to Scotland and I absolutely loved it.

"I’d never been to Scotland before so it was amazing.

"Greenock for me is really special because I am from quite a small in south Wales called Neath and it’s literally like home from home.

“Everyone made me feel really welcome, it was really awesome.”

When the film crew left the former Greenock Academy building in the west end came down, making way for a new nursery and land for development.

Waterloo Road's big comeback is due to air later this year.