A RARE collection of tiled murals by a leading Scottish artist has gone to ruin in a Greenock underpass.

The long-forgotten scaled drawings of iconic Clyde paddle steamers by mid-20th century designer Robert Stewart are in urgent need of restoration after years of neglect and vandalism.

A shipping enthusiast has today hit out at the condition of the artwork and damage done to it.

Douglas Neil, who is originally from Greenock, is now appealing for help to save the hidden treasures in the heart of the town.

Among the collection are drawings of the Queen Mary II, Caledonia and PS Mercury.

Mr Neil said: “They are in a real sorry state.

“We seem to neglect our maritime history and it is a terrible shame.

“These drawings are so detailed and to scale and all of these ships have an amazing history.

“It is so sad to see the state they are in, the tiles have been broken and defaced.

“They have been vandalised and left to fall into disrepair.

“My concern is that if we don’t act they will be lost for good.” The tiled murals were created by designer and artist Robert Stewart, who graduated from the world famous Glasgow School of Art and made his name in textiles.

They were installed at the underpass in 1979.

Douglas, who developed a love of ships from his Naval officer father, said: “I still pass through Greenock every week and I just think it is such a great shame that the mural has come to this.

“It would be great if it could be moved somewhere else so that people can see it.

“It is important that something like this is preserved.” Within the collection is a drawing of PS Mercury, which was built in Govan in 1934 and requisitioned as a minesweeper by the government five years later.

She was lost after striking a mine in the sea off the Irish coast on Christmas Day in 1940.

Robert Stewart was one of the foremost British designers of his generation as well as a prolific artist.

Along with his contemporary Lucienne Day he was a master in his field and divided his time between teaching at the Glasgow School of Art and producing innovative designs for labels like Liberty.

His work has recently been investigated in a major research project at Glasgow School of Art.

Inverclyde Council has told the Telegraph that it will take action to clean up the tiles.

A spokesman added: “Anyone is welcome to put forward suggestions on their long-term future for consideration.”