IN PICTURES: Hundreds back rally to save Helensburgh pier

Bearing a 'Help Us Save The Pier' banner and a large megaphone to get their message across, trustees and supporters of the Helensburgh Seafront Development Project (HSDP) were joined by a large and enthusiastic band of supporters – all of them roused into action after the Advertiser revealed that the cost of fixing the pier to enable the paddle steamer Waverley to resume its visits to the town could reach as high as £1 million.

READ MORE: Helensburgh pier repairs could cost up to £1 million, report reveals

Among those present at the rally were Helensburgh's constituency MSP Jackie Baillie and West of Scotland regional MSP, and Helensburgh resident, Maurice Corry, both of whom spoke of their desire to see the pier repaired and the Waverley return to the town.

The Waverley's operators announced last month that the famous ship would not call at Helensburgh this year because of the condition of the pier, and it has since emerged that repairs required to enable the iconic steamer to call at the town once again might not be finished in time for the Waverley to visit in 2020 either.

READ MORE: Pier campaigners' dismay at Waverley announcement

HSDP's trustees were able to answer questions from the public on the group's own plans to breathe new life into the pier, while those present were also made aware of an online 'Bring The Waverley Back To Helensburgh' petition, which has gathered 832 signatures as this article was published.

A drone photograph captured the size of the crowd on camera, while the crowd waved across the Firth of Clyde in the direction of the Waverley itself, currently in dry dock in Greenock.

READ MORE: Council set to refuse Helensburgh pier group's funds bid

In a post on HSDP's Facebook page the group said: "Great turn out today. Thank you all again."

The pier has been closed to all marine traffic on safety grounds since last October.

* More to follow.