Works to rebuild an old wall next to Johnstone Bowling Club are underway after it collapsed last month.

Safety concerns were raised after the ageing structure in Park Road crumbled following a bout of bad weather in December.

The incident led to part of the pavement next to it being taped off initially but barriers are now in place as efforts were made to secure the area.

Councillor Iain McMillan, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, said he was “a bit taken aback” when he realised the wall had fallen.

However, he was relieved to see the progress made at the site this week after Renfrewshire Council commenced its repairs.

The local authority, which described safety of residents as a “top priority”, confirmed reconstruction had begun after closing off the footway.

Councillor McMillan said: “Having been out at the site, I’m delighted to see the amount of work that has already been done.

“They have done a good job making it safe for people and getting the foundations sorted.”

The Labour group leader realised the wall had given way when out and about in Johnstone in the weeks before Christmas.

“It was a bit of a shock,” he said. “I was out for a walk and I couldn’t believe the wall had actually collapsed.

“That wall has been there for as long as I can remember because it was a hangout place for me when I was a youngster.

“I was a bit taken aback. The council made it safe and took away the debris and all the rest of it, so I had a quick chat with one of the chaps who deals with that sort of thing before Christmas.

“They suspect it was to do with water. Water got underneath it and forced it to collapse, with the amount of rain that we’ve had.”

A council spokesperson said: “The safety of residents is our top priority.

“Our teams have made the site safe by closing off the footway and work to rebuild the wall is currently underway.”