A BID is being made to bring home a historic steamer to the Clyde.

The TS Queen Mary was built in 1933 in Dumbarton, but was taken to London in 1981 when she retired.

There she was used as a floating restaurant on the Thames but later fell into disrepair.

Now Friends of the TS Queen Mary, a charity which aims to preserve the turbine steamer, wants to bring her to Glasgow to re-enforce the city's ship-building heritage.

Iain Sim, a trustee at the charity said: "We really wanted to bring the ship back for her 80th birthday this year, as we feel that we have got the facilities and technical team in Glasgow to look after her properly.

"All the other turbine steamers went to the scrap yards and by luck the Queen Mary has survived.

"We passionately believe that the Clyde should have the 'string of pearls' - the tall ship, the paddle steamer and the turbine steamer, so that is why we are trying to bring her back."

In the past year the charity has managed to lay the ground work for the ship's return by building industry contacts and raising cash.

It secured backing from Dumbarton-based MSP Jackie Baillie, who raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament officially supporting the group's work to return the vessel.

Ms Baillie said: "Over the past year or so the volunteers at Friends of the TS Queen Mary have worked tirelessly to bring the ship back to her home on the Clyde and I fully support their efforts.

"Although the ship was built in my own constituency of Dumbarton her signif-icance as a symbol of our proud maritime history is felt along the whole length of the Clyde.

"As the last Clyde-built turbine steamer, and one of Britain's finest, the Queen Mary would provide a focal point for the regeneration of Glasgow's waterfront areas and has the potential to be an excellent asset for the local community.

"Given the recent difficulties in securing a permanent home I hope that we will find her back in Glasgow in time for next year's Commonwealth Games"

It is thought the vessel could be used as a tourist attraction, helping to keep the history of the Clyde's shipbuilding industry alive for future generations.

Aidan O'Donnell, another of the charity's trustees, said the group has considered how the ship will be used.

He said: "We had thought that it could be used for a variety of functions including educational ones, but it could also provide training on skills associated with shipbuilding during the refurbishment of the vessel.

"It could also be used for all sorts of other events to enable it to pay its way; conferences, receptions, graduations and local workshops."

Around £750,000 will be needed to finish the first phase of the project, which includes buying the ship from the current owner, and completing any repairs.

Friends of the TS Queen Mary also hope they could recreate its original Art Deco interiors after transporting the boat back to Scotland by tug from her current location at the Tilbury Docks.

Moving the vessel is weather-dependent and will take about five days.

It is hoped the operation will be carried out in April next year.

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk