A very successful first-ever walking football festival was staged at the Weir Indoor Centre of Inverclyde Sportscotland centre last week.

The new Largs club hosted a fun tournament which attracted clubs from Inverkip, Irvine and Ayr United. There were so many players that a fifth team was formed from the Largs, Inverkip and Ayr men which led to 12 separate games being played on the two artificial grass pitches.

Organiser was Craig Hamilton, Football Development Officer with KA Leisure assisted by Gareth Turner of Sportscotland and John Brown of the Scottish Football Association.

At a lunch and awards ceremony individual trophies were presented to 'best players', Gerry Begley (Largs), Angus Bowes (Inverkip), Tony Fenley (Irvine) and Jackie Boyd (Ayr). Double goalscorer of the day was David Baxter of Largs, goal of the day from Brian Pitt of Ayr, 'Runner' of the day, Danny McPake (Largs) and a special scorer award to 82 year old Alan Sutherland of Ayr.

One of the fun moments of the tournament was when Walking Football Scotland chairman Gary McLaughlin, who was a referee, yellow carded his brother, Chic, for dissent.

Drew Cochrane, Co-ordinator of the Largs club said: "We're really chuffed that having only started the walking football sessions in August that we attracted 52 players to our mini-fest. The activity has really taken off."

Craig Hamilton, who coaches the North Ayrshire teams, was delighted that his idea for a Christmas fest paid off and that the SFA, Sportscotland and KA Leisure appreciated how the new sport aided the physical and mental well-being of the older participants.

Specsavers have given a grant of £200 to Largs Walking Football Club. Store manager Mark Williamson is pictured being thanked by club official Drew Cochrane with coach Craig Hamilton, Dougie Bratt and Bill Collins at the recent tournament at Inverclyde Centre.