A COLLECTIVE of community groups in Govan have revealed themselves as the mysterious knitters behind this week’s dressing up of a Glasgow statue.

A group of “yarn bombers”, led by organisers from Govan and Linthouse Parish Church, transformed the Mary Barbour statue on Govan Road with homemade hats, scarves and other garments.

The decoration comes just months after the sculpture was unveiled in March.

Designed by Andrew Brown, the artwork shows social justice heroine Mrs Barbour, who would later become a councillor and magistrate, leading rent strikers during World War One.

Initially set to take place on Friday, Monday’s stunt had been in the works for months, with around 100 individuals involved in covering Mary Barbour’s “Army” in the winter woollies.

A form of street art, yarn bombing sees prominent objects or structures in public places covered with decorative knitted or crocheted material.

Jamie Goodwin, project coordinator, said: “Yarn bombing had been done other places in Scotland, but as far as we can tell it’s the first time this has been done in Govan.

“We were looking at different places but we wanted to do central Govan. There is a lot of hype around Mary Barbour at the moment and we wanted to celebrate the history and places to visit in the area.

Coordinated by the Church of Scotland, volunteers from community groups, local Boy’s and Girl’s Brigade companies and primary schools all contributed.

On the coldest day of the year so far, passing commuters on Tuesday morning added to the joy sharing their own glee at the stunt, with one saying “Go Govan!”

Organisers now hopes the project will help improve pride in the Govan community, and inspire others to take up a form of art.

Mr Goodwin added: “Some members of our own congregation have been knitting for this since September. It was quite the collective, with more than 100 people involved.

“There has been a real sense of ownership with it. Children have seen things that they knitted and made in their local area and that is important for them.

“They might not always get that opportunity.

“We would hope that we have inspired people to get involved in a form of art, as people really enjoyed it.”