Shopkeepers hit out after vandals target Kempock Street in Gourock

Studio Flowers in Kempock Street, one of the business affected, had left some containers outside the premises as part of the town's new 'edible trail' which is being created by Bruce Newlands from Inverclyde Shed.

Co-owners of the florist shop, Shona McTaggart and Sharon Rodgers, say they were disappointed to discover the damage, which had been carried out by yobs during the early hours.

Shona said: "We came into the shop and the pots were damaged and we found a card from police. It happened at 2.25am on Wednesday.

"Someone placed the plants back into the pots.

"It took two hours to tidy it up and for everything to be replanted.

"The post were put out just to make the street look nice, so it's a bit disheartening, especially because it was part of the edible trail and people are trying to do something for the community."

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The pair have owned the business for 22 years and worked in it for five years beforehand.

Pots outside The Pirate and Bluebelle shop were also targeted.

Co-owner Heather McCulloch said: "It's just annoying. Lots of people sent me messages saying they had been damaged.

"We all try to keep our shops looking pretty."

Town councillor Sandra Reynolds says the incident is unusual and she hopes there will be no repeat.

Cllr Reynolds said: "I am aware of what happened and I have spoken to a couple of traders and they are concerned and disappointed.

"I don't think there has been anything like that in the street before. It is concerning for shop owners and residents.

"I am hoping that it is an isolated incident."

There have also been recent reports of other acts of vandalism nearby.

Financial services firm Succession Wealth had windows smashed and had to be boarded up and there were reports of car windscreens being smashed as well.

Anyone with information about the vandalism incidents is asked to phone police on 101.