A GREENOCK architectural practice has bolstered its team as bosses reveal they are working on 'exciting' new plans to benefit the area.

Nicholson McShane have announced team member Lucy Gray's recent registration as an architect following her exam success last year.

She joins the firm's four existing architects, directors Douglas Nicholson and Paul McShane, associate Nicola Falconer-Bell and Linzi Suttie.

Douglas said: "We're so pleased that Lucy is now an architect after such a long period of committed training.

"Studying for seven years teaches design and creativity but also the importance of trust and integrity.

"Lucy's registration is a demonstration of her personal commitment to these principles which also underpin our practice.

"We're thankful to the many clients whose continued trust in our business and our way of working has made us the largest architects practice in Inverclyde.

"One of our practice's aims is the development of local talent and the retention of this talent in Inverclyde - Lucy's success is a prime example of this strategy bearing fruit."

Nicholson McShane have clients including local businesses, developers, voluntary organisations and public sector bodies.

The company is based at Custom House in Greenock and recently completed its first project for the NHS whilst continuing to serve its 'grassroots' base of householders looking to carry out extensions and alterations.

Director Mr McShane says the practice has big plans ahead.

He said: "We are all from Inverclyde and all studied at university in Glasgow.

"We're proud of our local roots and have a commitment to the local area and a desire to see it thrive.

"We have some exciting initiatives at early stages of development that will benefit Inverclyde and we look forward to revealing them in the coming months."