A UNIQUE community project in one of Glasgow’s most deprived areas has announced plans to expand in its 10th year.

Lambhill Stables, which once housed the horses used to pull barges on the Forth and Clyde Canal, was launched in a area with little more than a village hall for locals.

After a rocky start - in the first couple of years, the stables was repeatedly targeted by vandals - new general manager Stephen McNeil, 58, says they are in a “good position,” the project has been embraced by locals and they are making plans for the next decade.

The stables now boasts 21 staff and runs a range of services including a bike recycling station, canoeing and a community garden. There is also an outdoor woodburning stove for al fresco pizza, which is popular with youth groups.

The cafe is well used by the elderly population and passing cyclists and walkers on the Forth and Clyde canal, enticed by home made soup and scones and outdoor seating.

The general manager said they are in discussions about the possibility of taking over a former primary school to house a commercial kitchen and run cookery classes for local families.

They are also about to bring in a welfare advisor, in direct response to a decision by the UK government to shut the nearest job centre in Maryhill job centre.

Stephen said: “This is the 10th anniversary year and now is the time to re-focus and reboot for the next 10 years.

“We are now in a good position to increase what we do for the community.

“Lambhill has not really been affected by immigration or city planners so we have quite a stable population.

“There are people who are born and bred here. It’s a very strong community.

“What we are mainly concerned is what we provide for for the people of Lambhill and the children of the local schools.

“Saturday is busy with cyclists. They can smell as scone a mile away.

“”Our focus is to be a good venue for our community and anything else is a bonus.”