Louise Harris jumps for joy after visiting Cardwell Garden Centre when it re-opened after lockdown.

The 38-year-old keen gardener, from Inverkip, was one of the first customers at the garden centre, near Gourock when Cardwell welcomed visitors for the first time this year.

She was there with Richard Jow, 42, stocking up for spending time making their garden grow.

Louise said: “It’s very important for us that Cardwell was able to open again as we do a lot of work in our garden and it’s very enjoyable.

“As well as planting flowers, we grow a lot of our own vegetables.”

There was a steady flow of visitors to the garden centre yesterday with people preparing the growing season, which has just started.

As well as selling plants, seeds and other gardening essentials, Cardwell is also offering a food carry-out service from their Patio Café.

Cardwell’s retail general manager, Paul Carmichael said: “It’s such a relief to be able to open again, especially as we’re approaching the busiest time of year for us.

“A lot of our customers were telling us just how glad they were that we could re-open.”