A PUBLIC appeal to raise funds for Glasgow's new Riverside Musuem has generated £1.6million.

A PUBLIC appeal to raise funds for Glasgow's new Riverside Musuem has generated £1.6million.

Trustees, including Lord Smith of Kelvin, Sir Arnold Clark, Robbie Coltrane, Sir Tom Farmer, Sir Tom Hunter and Carol Smillie, have been charged with raising cash to cover a £5m shortfall in the £85m project.

It is hoped the cash can be sourced from private donors, businesses and the public to help complete the project, which will replace the transport museum at Kelvin Hall.

Backers said they were "very satisfied" with the public response and were confident of reaching the target.

The museum will house more than 3000 objects and is expected to attract more than 500,000 visitors each year.

An appeal spokesman said: "We are well on our way to achieving our goal of raising £5m towards what will undoubtedly be an iconic museum."

The steel skeleton of the Riverside Museum is being erected on the banks of the Clyde..

A progress report, which will be presented to councillors this week, claims a number of cost savings have been identified, including the secondary steel work and ceiling and entrance lobbies.

Council officials insist these savings can be made while maintaining the quality of the building.

The museum was designed by acclaimed Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid and is scheduled to open to the public in 2011.

It was originally costed at £50m, but has now been given a total "expenditure forecast"

of £85m.