A FUNDING appeal has been launched by the Save Inchgreen campaign to replace its banner which was stolen from outside a former church in Greenock.

The Tele reported earlier this week how thieves had taken away a large sign promoting the campaign from Old West Kirk on the Esplanade.

Its sudden disappearance came two months after activists — who are fighting to breathe fresh industrial life into the dormant dry dock — called in the police after signage was taken down near Inchgreen.

It later emerged that the dock's owners, Clydeport, had removed that material as part of work to replace fencing, with the items subsequently returned to the group.

Campaign secretary Robert Buirds told the Telegraph that the latest incident has been 'soul destroying'.

He says the banners are important because 'they let people know that we are still fighting their corner and won't stop until the dry dock is fully up and running and providing well-paid jobs'.

Now he is fighting back by asking members of the public to make pledges to help replace the signs.

Mr Buirds says donations are needed because the pressure group also requires income after it was blocked from getting a council grant last year.

Robert said: "Unfortunately we have to start a fundraiser as we need to replace our stolen banners and replace old ones.

"We also need some running expenses, as many members of the group have been using their own resources and we need to get on a sound financial footing.

"Inverclyde Council rejected our application for community funding, although the officers in charge of the fund recommended payment.

"They dismissed us as a political pressure group and not a community campaign, with only Councillor John Crowther on that committee supporting our application."

Robert says that the work of the campaign incurs mounting costs, as they push a petition at Holyrood calling for the nationalisation of Clydeport.

He said: "Sourcing support for our Scottish Parliament petition is requiring work and travel.

"This would have been easier if our local politicians had given their support, and for some to question their direction of travel.

"Nevertheless we’re gaining support and momentum and have a number of meetings arranged."

The theft of the banners from the Old West Kirk has been reported to the police, who are now investigating the matter.

Anyone with information about it should call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.