A BUST and commemorative plaque are to be unveiled to mark 100 years since the death of legendary Scottish political figure Keir Hardie.

On Tuesday, deputy Lord Provost Gerry Leonard, local councillors, MSPs, MPs, representatives of the Keir Hardie Society and trade unions will attend a short ceremony at Maryhill Crematorium in the Western Necropolis where he was cremated exactly a century ago.

The event coincides with a bust of Hardie by German artist Benno Schotz going on public display in the People's Palace for the first time since the mid 1980s.

Last year, the city council approved a motion by councillor Martin Rhodes, who represents Maryhill/Kelvin, calling on a celebration of the outstanding achievements of the former Labour Party leader.

He said: "Throughout his life, Keir Hardie championed many causes including the struggle for working class representation in Parliament, his support for women's suffrage and the rights of trade unions and workers and his commitment to internationalism and peace.

"Through this act of remembrance and celebration, we mark once more our appreciation for all that he did for our city."

James Keir Hardie was born on August 15, 1856 in a two-roomed cottage on the western edge of Newhouse in North Lanarkshire but the family quickly moved to Govan.

He started work when he was only seven-years-old as a message boy for the Anchor Line Steamship Company and at the age of 10-years-old went to work in the mines.

Hardie went on to become involved in the trade union movement, in 1888 became the first secretary of the newly formed Scottish Labour Party and four years later was elected to Parliament.

He went on to become Labour Party leader and there are now 40 streets throughout Britain named after him.

The bronze sculpture which will go on display in the People's Palace was made in 1939 and was presented to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in October last year by the Keir Hardie Memorial Trust.

There are other casts of the sculpture at Old Cumnock in Ayrshire where Hardie lived for many years and in the House of Commons.

The bust will be on display in the People's Palace in the Visions of the City display on the top floor until the end of November.