A COMMUNITY group went out in style with a farewell party day.

Hundreds of locals had a ball at the Upper Port Glasgow Community Club's final bash held in Newark Primary School.

Club bosses told the Telegraph that the event would be the group's last ever, due to no longer having a hall to hold their sessions and events.

Chairperson Claire Saunderson says the group, which had previously been based in Port Glasgow's iYouth Zone, struggled to find premises to work in post-pandemic.

She said: "We started the group four years ago to give kids living in this part of the town somewhere to go after school.

"The timing of the pandemic was pretty bad for us and we haven't really been doing anything over that time.

"We've tried to get a new place to run things, but it's at the point where we've admitted defeat.

"Fortunately we've been able to help out at Clune Park Resource Centre with the toddlers group, so it's not been a complete loss.

"Being able to hold the fun day was fantastic and we owe a big thanks to Inverclyde Council for giving us some of the Meliora Festival funding to run it.

"Thanks to that we were able to give everyone a free raffle ticket and we had some great prizes in the draw.

"It gave the community a chance to enjoy themselves and re-connect with each other."

The fun day featured a variety of games and activities for kids and families to enjoy, including a visit from Finlaystone's birds of prey, funfair games and demonstrations from local fire crews.

Claire was pleased the group had been able to hold one last event before folding - and thanked families for supporting them.

She added: "The fire brigade were brilliant for coming along, as well as the team from Hootenanny Owls at Finlaystone.

"Unless we get given a building in upper Port Glasgow, this will be our last ever event.

"But if it is our last then I'm glad it was a good one.

"Everyone had a fantastic day and it was nice to see so many people along.

"We had at least 400 people coming out to enjoy everything that we had on.

"I think the attendance just shows that there's a need in the area for groups to put on events for local families.

"I'm really pleased and proud with the work we've done in Port Glasgow these last few years and I hope we can continue that in other local groups."