THE Riverside Museum this week celebrated its first birthday – by giving itself a much needed present.

Since it opened, the £74 million visitor attraction has become the most popular in Glasgow.

More than 1.5m people have visited the transport museum on the banks of the Clyde which has won a host of awards.

Such has been the popularity of the dramatic structure that at times the car park has struggled to cope with demand.

But work has now started on creating more space for coaches and up to 200 additional cars.

To celebrate its birthday, the first major change to the displays in the building is underway.

Vehicles in the entrance hall, belonging to actor Robbie Coltrane, Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos and Scottish trials cyclist Danny MacAskill, are to be relocated.

The space will be filled with an exhibition celebrating Glasgow's role in hosting football matches for the Olympics.

It will bring together more than 40 years of transport relating to famous sportsmen and women.

Items on display will include Aberdonian David Florence's C1 slalom canoe from Beijing 2008, where he won silver, Sir Chris Hoy's track shoes, which he wore when he cycled to three gold medals at Beijing, a cycling jersey from the 1968 Mexico Olympics, belonging to Glasgow born Billy Bilsland, and Helensburgh born paralympic tennis player Gordon Reid's wheelchair and kit from Beijing.

There will also be a new, specially commissioned film about Gordon Reid as part of the display.

And a film about John Paul, who as a 13-year-old in Caithness, sold his PlayStation and all his games to buy an specialist track bike will be produced in time for his bike going on display.

The objects on display will change every six months as Glasgow gears up to hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Glasgow Life chairman Archie Graham said: "Riverside has been an outstanding success which has trebled the numbers going to see Glasgow's acclaimed transport collection."

The Riverside houses more than 3000 exhibits in more than 150 interactive displays.

From massive steam locomotives, to the recreation of a 1900s city street, the Zaha Hadid designed building provides a stunning backdrop to showcase the city's transport collection.

A full programme of events has been organised to suit all ages this summer.

Every day between June 30 until August 12, Super Summer will allow five to 11-year-olds to meet the superstars of the collection.

Wee Super Sidekicks, which runs on Saturdays and Wednesdays, offers fun filled sessions for the under fives.

Interactive storytelling sessions are being run for the under fives on July 2, 9 and 30 and on August 6.

And on August 11 and 12, the museum will host a weekend of activities to celebrate the Clyde paddle steamer Comet's 200th anniversary.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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