Plans to convert a former hotel in Cardross into a Co-operative convenience store have been approved by council planning officials.

The retailer was seeking permission for the partial demolition of the former Muirholm Hotel, on the main road through the village, along with the erection of an extension and permission for a 'change of use' from a hotel to a shop.

The application was given the green light by Argyll and Bute Council's planning, protective services and licensing committee.

Co-op managers visited Cardross Community Council in June to outline their intentions for the site and to attempt to reassure village residents that existing Cardross businesses had “nothing to fear” from the company's arrival.

Raymond Gormley, Co-operative Food's regional acquisitions manager for the west of Scotland and north of England, told that meeting that subject to planning permission, the company hoped to start work on the site towards the end of this year and to open in the second quarter of 2018.