A PROUD Bankie insists a monument to Clydebank’s shipbuilding past would become a tourist attraction as he ramps up efforts to get a permanent sculpture erected at the Clydeside.

Gordon McKay believes there needs to be some kind of structure erected down by the Titan Crane to celebrate the world-famous ships that were built at yards such as John Brown’s and Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.

With that type of heavy industry now long gone from the town, the 66-year-old explained other communities such as Greenock have sculptures toasting the boats fitted out there and noted a recent visit by family from overseas as the moment he realised he had to do something.

Speaking exclusively to The Clydebank Post, Gordon said: “I have been looking at this for years, every time I walk down there.

“Yes, we have the Titan Crane, but nothing is telling you all about the ships we built.

“All they’ve got is a wee plaque behind the sports centre.

“I had relatives over from Australia and they asked me where the QE2 was launched, and I took them around.

“All they saw was the two-foot plaque. They asked, ‘Is that it?’ “I explained the gymnasium is meant to be the shape of a ship as well, looking on to the launching, but nobody notices that.”

Now, Gordon is pushing for a more prominent nod to Clydebank’s shipbuilding heritage and has recently had a meeting with SNP Councillor for the ward Lauren Oxley.

And Gordon insists it is in West Dunbartonshire Council’s best interests to approve any potential plans when they come across their desks.

“[Put it] round about the Titan Crane, because people can walk through right round there now,” he continued.

“And it would be a wee tourist attraction. I was speaking to someone the other day, who told me they had relatives who had connections with the shipyards, who would cover over the get a picture by the sculpture.”

Councillor Oxley told The Clydebank Post: “Clydebank has a very proud industrial history and it is so important that we don't forget it.

"Our local libraries and the Town Hall have displayed many brilliant exhibitions to showcase our past, but I do think our waterfront is missing a tribute to John Browns and its many workers, especially when you compare it to other nearby shipbuilding towns with various sculptures and statues, such as Port Glasgow.

"It was great to meet with Gordon to hear about his ambitious plans to make this a reality. I will do all I can to support him with this exciting project to try and make it a success.

"If anyone else has any knowledge or experience to offer, I would encourage them to get in touch with Gordon."

Gordon - who comes from a long family line of men who worked in John Brown’s and even had a stint in engineering there himself in the seventies - is now seeking help from any community groups out there, who may be willing to help him with completing grant applications and lottery paperwork.

He finished: "I hope we can get this off the ground and give the town something to be proud of and in memory of all the great workforce that built the ships."