A NEW fair which promotes Erskine got up and running at the town’s Salvation Army base.

The arts and crafts gift fair was held on Saturday afternoon and brought together traders from across Renfrewshire.

With 24 stalls, featuring sellers from Erskine, Linwood, Bishopton and elsewhere, there was something for everyone at the inaugural market.

Salvation Army volunteer Miriam Wing said: “It was a new venture for us, alongside a woman named Evelyn Henderson.

“We are looking to establish the fair and bring more to the centre of Erskine and we really do have some fantastically-talented people coming along.

“Hopefully, this will promote local people and the work that we do as well.

“It was a good start for the fair and we’ll be hoping for bigger and better when we return in May.”

Having been part of the Erskine community for the past quarter of a century, the Salvation Army is well established in the town.

The Christian organisation has held festive fairs in Erskine before but the regular arts and crafts market is seen as a way for volunteers to play a more prominent role within the community.

Miriam added: “It works for us to show that we want to be a part of the community.

“It’s only in the past year or so, since we got a new entrance at the Salvation Army, that people are noticing us and what we do.

“Sometimes Erskine gets forgotten about, so shining some light on the place is what we want to do.”

The next instalment will take place on Saturday, May 5, from noon until 3pm.

For more information about the event and other work being done by the Salvation Army, call David or Miriam Wing on 0141 812 7134 or send an email to david.wing@salvationarmy.org.uk.