People in Helensburgh who feel lonely and isolated are being given a new opportunity to make friends.

Meetings are to be held in a town centre tearoom where people can meet and and chat over a free cuppa.

The initiative has been launched by Burgh businesswoman Melanie Andrews who told the Advertiser she is stunned by the number of people - both in the elderly and younger age groups - who are sitting alone in their homes with no one to talk to.

Melanie, who runs the Craigard Tearoom in Sinclair Street, told the Advertiser: "Perhaps they are widowed or have have just moved to the town, or maybe their families have moved away from home or they just need a friend.

"My mum is a perfect example at nearly 80 years of age.

"My father passed away about 16 years ago and after bringing up four children and a career she now finds herself very lonely, especially in the evenings.

"This brings on depression, feelings of isolation etc and I see there are many, many more people looking to meet other people in the same boat."

Melanie said that in the past six months she had researched this by asking the opinions of customers in her shop and passers-by.

She added: "I am stunned at the lack of help in this area."

Starting on Wednesday August 15, Melanie will set up a fortnightly meeting place in Craigard Tearoom from 6pm to 8pm for people to go along on their own and meet a friend.

She said: "There will be free cake and tea and coffee supplied and we only ask that if they do come, to come on their own.

"It defeats the purpose if people come with someone."

The initiative has been welcomed by the Helensburgh based charity Visiting Friends who agree with Melanie's view that loneliness affects all ages across the socio economic divide.

However, the charity says the elderly are likely to have more risk factors, such as disabilities, poor mobility, deafness, blindness, living alone, being a carer and living in a poor area.

Visiting Friends provides volunteer befrienders for one-to-one company and friendship, for any person who is elderly and lonely.

Grey Matters in Helensburgh also provides older people with opportunities to meet, campaigns on older peoples issues and gives members the chance to join other spin-off groups such as Local Vocals and the history group Past Times.