A KEY milestone in a £1.7million stadium refurbishment has been reached with the completion of work on the main stand.

The interior of Ravenscraig Stadium in Greenock has been re-fitted and upgraded to offer a modern facility.

Inverclyde regeneration convener councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld said: "This will be a first class asset for the local community but also a valuable facility for people from across the West of Scotland and beyond.

"The new stadium has the potential to become not just a regional training centre for endurance athletics but also a training ground for athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

"Indeed, such is the considerable investment we have made in leisure facilities across Inverclyde I am sure we will be attracting admiring glances for the first-rate facilities and community benefits that investment has bought."

A running track suitable for endurance events will be fitted in the coming weeks as the weather improves.

Work to significantly improve the drainage of the grass pitch has also been carried out using a technique known as sand- slitting which enhances the movement of water away from the playing surface.

Regeneration vice convener councillor Stephen McCabe said: "Greenock and Port Glasgow Juniors will continue to use the pitch while work on our flagship community stadium at Parklea in Port Glasgow is completed.

"We have put leisure at the heart of our strategy to improve the quality of life and social opportunities for our communities so it is particularly pleasing to see such an important project approach completion."