THE leader of the Scottish LibDems is backing a campaign against naming a new £100million prison after Bishopbriggs.

THE leader of the Scottish LibDems is backing a campaign against naming a new £100million prison after Bishopbriggs.

It will replace the former Low Moss Prison, which has now closed.

But Tavish Scott said concern was increasing over the proposed name, HM Prison Bishopbriggs.

Mr Scott said: "There is a worrying silence from the Scottish Prison Service over how it plans to address this.

"With so much public concern it is only right the Justice Secretary steps in and ensures the proposed name is dropped once and for all."

Labour MSP David Whitton, LibDems' MP Jo Swinson and more than 360 local people have added their name to an online petition protesting at the proposed name.

The Evening Times first reported the planned name switch late last year, but the campaign has gathered steam.

Ms Swinson said: "The views I have been receiving are virtually unanimous. Local feeling on this issue could not be clearer: the name must be dropped.

"If the Justice Secretary wants to make a New Year's resolution that will find favour with everyone in Bishopbriggs, it should be to rule out HM Prison Bishopbriggs' as the name of the new facility."

Ms Swinson also spoke in a Commons debate calling for the proposed name to be dropped.

She said: "Bishopbriggs is a friendly town with a great community spirit. Its people do not want the first thing others think of when they hear of Bishopbriggs is a prison."

The new prison will have 700 cells and is expected to open in 2011.

A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: "The name HM Prison Bishopbriggs was used to distinguish it from other prisons at the site. We are probably a couple of years away from making a decision."

A spokesman for Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill declined to comment.

To sign the petition see www.woodhillresidents group.org.uk or petitions.number10.gov.uk/lowmoss