A BRONZE statue honouring a leading Govan shipbuilder has been restored at a cost of £30,000.

Sir William Pearce, who died in 1888, managed Govan's Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering, which became the leading shipbuilding company in the world, employing around 5000 workers.

The monument honouring him was erected at Govan Cross almost 120 years ago.

For decades it has been known locally as The Black Man due to the effect of the soot deposited during the area's industrial past.

In recent times the statue became discoloured as a result of a build up of green corrosion.

However, it has now been fully restored to a polished black sheen thanks to work carried out as part of the Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative.

The stone plinth has also been cleaned, mortar joints repointed and the dedication lettering refreshed.

Replica railings will be installed in the coming weeks to replace the missing originals, restoring the statue to its former glory.

Govan Cross Town-scape Heritage Initiative is a five-year, £5million regeneration project which offers grants to owners to repair and preserve the area's exceptional buildings and features.

The restoration of the statue is part of an investment programme which has seen the restoration of the Pearce Institute and Aitken Fountain, and the transformation of the public space at Govan Cross.

Community news – Page 16