Scores of residents made the most of the sunshine and flocked to Houston Square for an easter egg hunt organised by Johnstone Business Consortium.

Business-owners recently launched the group in the hope that, through hard work and innovative initiatives, they can turn the town into the place to go for shoppers in the surrounding towns and villages.

Clad in easter bunny costumes, local traders got the entire community involved by planting tokens around the square so youngsters could hunt for stashes of chocolate.

Councillor Andy Doig, who represents the area and is brainchild of the group, praised proprietors for organising the fun-packed event.

“I want to say a huge well done to the Johnstone Business Consortium for organising this excellent community event,” the SNP man said.

“This was a great way to promote Houston Square and show the real potential of Johnstone Town Centre.

“All the mums and children who came along absolutely loved it and there has been lots of positive feedback.

“We want to see more events like this at the arcade in future and utilise the area the way it should be.” And chairman Allan Henderson, a local florist whose family have sold flowers from Johnstone High Street for nearly 90 years, described the event as an “outstanding success”.

He added: “For something that has never been done before in the Johnstone area it went exceptionally well.

“Around 60 children took part in the easter egg hunt and this is something we hope will really raise the profile of the area.

“This isn’t just a one off and we’re excited to bring some more ideas to the town centre.”