A STATUE of Nelson Mandela could be erected in the city centre street named after him.

Plans have been drawn up to site a lifesize solid bronze statue of the world famous campaigner on top of a 6ft high plinth in Nelson Mandela Place.

An open competition to select the sculptor will be carried out with the winning entry decided by a panel of experts including artists and anti-apartheid campaigners.

It is expected the £150,000 work will be in place early next year.

The group behind the plan is the Nelson Mandela Scottish Foundation which was set up to increase knowledge and understanding of the great man.

On August 4, 1981, Glasgow became the first city in the world to award Mandela the Freedom of the City.

As he was still imprisoned in Robben Island where he spent 27 years for conspiring to overthrow the state, the award was received on his behalf by the vice-president of Nigera.

Glasgow launched the world-wide Lord Mayors' petition calling for his release at the United Nations in New York in 1984 and four years later St George's Place was re-named Nelson Mandela Place.

The man who eventually became the President of South Africa was released from jail in 1990 and in 1993 visited the city to receive the Freedoms of all the UK's cities which was given to him at a special ceremony in the City Chambers.

A report to city planners says: "Nelson Mandela Place is the ideal site for the proposed location politically, historically and functionally.

"The Place has a long association with the struggle against apartheid and Nelson Mandela while its prominent location could activate this underused part of the city.

"The location of a statue within the northern half of the Place could enhance it to become a new, small civic square within the city as an extension of Buchanan Street.

"The chosen location also allows for a degree of intimacy with it being enclosed by the surrounding building, yet it is still very accessible.

"It would provide an ideal space for both reflection and celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela and his relationship with the city.

"The preferred proposed site will be located to create a direct view from George Square and to the historic location of the South African Consulate in the old St George's Square."