Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say that the future of the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter is under threat.

Please consider supporting the Reporter in whatever way you can – by paying just 85p for a copy of the paper, when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition here.

Thanks – and stay safe.

...................................

OFFERS of help have not been in short supply across Helensburgh and Lomond during the coronavirus emergency and a new volunteer group has just been formed to add to the growing list of community initiatives.

Following a meeting of Cardross Community Council in March, the Cardross Cares group has been launched with the aim of supporting neighbours in need in the village.

More than 70 volunteers have already said they are willing to assist the elderly and vulnerable while a private Facebook group is available for anyone to join and aid the effort.

In a video posted online, Patrick Trust, convener of the community council, said: "We have had great help from the Cardross community and from Reverend Maggie [McArthur] from the church.

"A whole load of volunteers have got together and we are actually well along the line now of helping people.

"With the help of various ladies we have got spreadsheets with over 70 volunteers from the village and that is fantastic.

"If and when - and we hope it does not - the virus comes and strikes Cardross, we have a big network of helpers so I don't think we need to panic and we are well advanced in our preparations.

"Remember to keep your distance, keep safe and if you don't need to go out stay indoors."

Cardross Cares follows in the footsteps of the Helping Helensburgh group and the Peninsula Coronavirus Support and Assistance group set up last month.

Every household in Cardross should now have received a 'help' postcard through their doors identifying the volunteer for their street and providing information on how to contact them and what they are able to do to help.

To register your interest in volunteering, search for the Cardross Cares group on Facebook and request to join, or email CardrossCares@gmail.com with your name, address, postcode and contact telephone number.

You can also call Rev Maggie McArthur on 01389 849329 or Patrick Trust on 01389 841387.