A Millport man has been praised for giving local talent a festive boost though his musical Advent calendar.

Paul Hart posted daily music videos from December 1 to 24 to add an extra seasonal feel-good factor to the run up to Christmas.

Each day during Advent, individuals, community groups, schools and even Paul himself performed a festive jingle to boost the festive spirits. 

Contributions came from a wide variety of people, including pupils at Cumbrae Primary School, members of the Boys' Brigade, Rainbows and Brownies, the Sonoro Outreach Choir, and the director of music at the Cathedral of the Isles, Alastair Chisholm.

Also featured this year was Johnni McCloskey, who got help from the DWP to take his first step on the ladder towards a musical career.

Paul said: "Thank you to all the musicians, poets, writers, dancers and photographers who have made contributions to our advent calendar. It has been very much appreciated.

Paul created the daily musical online interlude during the pandemic - and decided to keep it going during Advent even after Covid restrictions were lifted. 

It proved so popular that Ukrainian refugees living on Cumbrae took part in 2022.

Last year, unemployed father Johnni McCloskey, who featured, released a new CD with help from Saltcoats Job Centre after he gained a loan of £600 for the Department of Work and Pensions to fund production of 50 CDs and a street trader's licence.

A spokesperson for the Millport Town Hall Project added: "We would like to say a huge thank you to Paul Hart for this year's magnificent Advent calendar.

"The contributions have been wonderful, yet without Paul spending many hours pulling it together the enjoyment would have been missed by so many."