GLASGOW'S Lord Provost is the latest well-known face to add her weight to the campaign to commemorate boxer Benny Lynch.

Sadie Doherty welcomed Benny's son, Bobby, and grand-daughter, Sharon, who live in Canada, to Glasgow City Chambers for a civic reception.

She joins Scots actor Robert Carlyle, former world champion boxer Jim Watt MBE and 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer Charlie Flynn.

Mrs Doherty said: “Like Benny Lynch, I grew up in the Gorbals where he’s a local hero. So naturally, I’m delighted to lend my support to the Remembering Benny Lynch campaign.”

Last night's reception gave Bobby and Sharon the chance to meet Eddie Wilson, from Pollok, who is the son of Benny Lynch’s trainer Sammy Wilson.

An exhibition showcasing Benny Lynch’s 1937 world and European championship trophies, boxing gloves, a painting of the boxer by Glasgow artist Robert Millar and other memorabilia were brought to the City Chambers especially for the event.

Bobby said: "My father was loved and admired by the citizens of this city and it means a lot to me and his legacy that the city is recognising his achievements after all these years.

"The level of support that this campaign has gained has been wonderful and to finally see a statue of my father in the city that he loved so much would be such an honour."

As first told in the Evening Times, the Benny Lynch exhibition, organised by Glasgow Life, was unveiled by Jim Watt at the Gorbals Library earlier this year just streets from where Benny Lynch was born.

It is the first time both trophies have been on public show since the boxer’s death in 1946.

The Remembering Benny Lynch campaign aims to raise £100,000 for a statue of the boxing star to be on permanent display in the city.

In April, the funding drive received a £10,000 boost thanks to a gift from Robert Carlyle.

The Trainspotting star appeared at a special fundraiser in Glasgow's Clutha Vaults bar where he donated his own signed script of his current TV series, Once Upon A Time.

Robert, who has expressed a long-held interest in making a film about his idol, said: “I've always loved the idea of a statue for Benny.

"I cannot think of anyone, past or present from the city of Glasgow who deserves it more. I've been an admirer of Benny Lynch for more years than I care to remember.

“He was a great hero of my father.

"My grandfather saw him fight on several occasions and the stories of his matches were passed on to my father, who passed them down to me - as I have with my own children.

"We should be proud of what this man has achieved and a statue in his honour is the very least his memory deserves."

Tens of thousands of people lined the streets to see Benny when he arrived back from London in January 1937 after his successful fight to regain the World Flyweight Title.

He beat Small Montana on points over 15 rounds and that success meant a ring of police officers had to surround his car to keep the crowds back when he drove from Central Station to his home in Burnside.

Benny later suffered from alcoholism and he died in 1946 aged just 33.

Jim Watt said: “Benny is an inspiration to every sportsman who wore boxing gloves.

"He is a true Scottish hero and was our first world champion, proving to everyone that it could be done.

"A statue for Benny is long overdue and I will do everything I can to make it happen."

To donate go to Remembering Benny Lynch gofundme at: www.gofundme.com/8d2j5678