A CHARITY for veterans and their families has announced it is changing its name.

Garelochhead Station Trust voted to become Garelochhead Support Trust at its annual general meeting last week.

The group said long-standing efforts to obtain the unused platform building at Garelochhead railway station as their base had not been possible and the new name would better reflect their work.

Melody Grayson, assistant trust co-ordinator, said: "After many years of attempting to acquire the station building lease at Garelochhead Station it became evident that this was not feasible.

"A discussion was had by trustees of Garelochhead Station Trust who decided to cease any further attempts.

A new badge has been created for the trustA new badge has been created for the trust (Image: GST)

"It was put to the trust members prior to the AGM that a name change would be in order and suggestions would be welcome.

"As a group that is known far and wide by the acronym GST we wished to stay as close to that as possible.

"The vote was taken at our AGM and the name chosen was Garelochhead Support Trust (allowing to maintain GST)."

The trust said all their regular group activities and weekly line dancing classes would continue as normal, along with weekly indoor carpet bowls, fortnightly craft group and fortnightly model making group - and brunches.

And they will be offering their one-to-one support with their welfare team.

They marked their fifth anniversary last year after starting as a small veterans group running from Gibson Hall in Garelochhead. It grew to include the families of former military personnel and the wider community.

And they then made their home in Centre 81 to accommodate their increased popularity.

The group has a new website at garelochheadsupporttrust.com and will be regularly updated along with their Facebook page.

Earlier this year they helped celebrate the 100th birthday of local resident and member Dennis 'Spike' Jones alongside 80 friends and family.