A SENIOR Conservative believes that Brexit will bring a boost to plans to revamp Greenock town centre.

Last month the Telegraph revealed how Inverclyde Council is preparing a bid for £20m of 'levelling up' funding from the UK Government.

Top local Tory David Wilson has praised the enthusiasm shown by the council in applying for the fund and claims that the scheme shows the UK is better off outside of the European Union.

Mr Wilson said: "This funding is vitally important.

"When we were members of the European Union we used to get the money from Europe.

"Levelling up funding is the UK Government replacing that, but the big difference is it isn't match funded and that means it takes half the money to do these things.

"I think it's a fantastic opportunity, you used to have to jump through so many hoops to get funding from Europe."

The local authority a multi-million pound package to spend on key infrastructure projects in the heart of Greenock, such as the removal of the A78 flyover and the demolition of a large section of the Oak Mall.

A row of commercial properties on Clyde Square would also be removed along with Hector McNeil House - the old library building which is currently used by the health and social care partnership.

Plans are meanwhile being drawn up for a new 'cultural quarter' to be created at the opposite end of the town, near the Glebe Building where sugar was once refined.

The final deadline for Municipal Buildings bosses to submit the levelling up bid is the beginning of July, but the local authority is yet to launch the public consultation it promised on the proposals.

But Councillor Wilson insists there is no need to worry about the tight turnaround for the plans.

He said: "I think it's good that there's time pressure on the council.

"With the European Union these things would sometimes drag on for years.

"Remember some of the plans, such as the demolition of a section of the Oak Mall, have already been passed by the planning committee, which will also help.

He added: "This is a Brexit success.

"This what was promised to us - that we could do things ourselves and not have to deal with the bureaucracy of the EU.

"I'm pleased with how enthusiastically Inverclyde Council and its officers have been about this funding, especially when I've heard that other local authorities haven't been so keen.

"They've engaged very well with the UK Government, and in particular the Scotland Office."