EAGER Glaswegians have launched a bid to make Games icon Clyde the city's new mascot.

Desperate to keep the spirit of the 11-day sporting extravaganza alive, residents have signed a petition to make the friendly thistle a permanent fixture.

Started by Clyde fan Catherine Yuill, the petition states: "Clyde has been the highlight of the Commonwealth Games this year and is loved by all" and that fans "will be sad to see him go".

More than 200 signed the petition in its first 24 hours and the figure is still climbing.

Super-sized statues of the figure were also placed around the city, forming a Clyde trail which was popular with tourists.

The petition will be sent to Glasgow City Council for consideration.

One supporter, Violet Kennedy, from the Gallowgate, wrote: "Clyde has played a massive part in the best thing to hit Glasgow.

"We put up with a lot for four years leading up to the Games.

"I think Clyde should be the mascot for the next generation of Glaswegians."

Selina Morrice, another fan from Glasgow, wrote: "We had the most amazing time doing the Clyde trail.

"I don't want Clyde to be forgotten.

"The trail should be left as a reminder of how successful it was and can still be if not removed."

Many other supporters said they wanted Glasgow to have a new icon, following the success of Mr Happy and the Glasgow Smiles Better campaign from 1983.

The slogan and logo were so successful that they were relaunched in 1994 after being originally replaced with "Glasgow's Alive".

Schoolgirl Beth Gilmour, who designed the best-selling Clyde mascot for the Commonwealth Games, said it was "amazing" to see how successful it has become.

She was just 12 when she sketched the green thistle-man with purple hair who has proved a hit with fans.

Clyde soft toys were the most popular merchandise at the Games, with the 15cm and 25cm versions selling out. More than 46,000 have been bought since the beginning of July, generating £675,000 in revenue.

A further 1400 Clyde toys have been ordered by Games fans in just 24 hours - after a Christmas pre-sale was launched online.

The mascot was such a hit that all the toy Clydes, except a few of the 1m tall models, sold out.

The pre-sale ends on August 12. The kilted Clydes can be ordered at shop.Glasgow2014.com for £15.

To sign the petition visit www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/make-clyde-the-mascot-for-glasgow-new-glasgow-mascot

hannah.rodger@ eveningtimes.co.uk