A LOCAL historian is calling for a new memorial to remember people who perished during an infamous uprising in Greenock.

Shaun Kavanagh, 23, found out about a historical revolt while studying for his masters degree at university, and feels local people should be more aware of what happened.

Eight people were shot dead and several others were injured during the riot, which took place in Cathcart Street on 8 April 1820.

Shaun, of Holmscroft Street, said: "There had been uprisings in Scotland and in the north of England at this time by workers fighting for their rights.

"Upon the arrest of radical prisoners around Paisley and Johnstone, several were taken to Paisley jail.

"However, due to an overflow of prisoners, five men still needed to be detained in cells while they awaited trial.

"The Volunteers of Port Glasgow Corps transported the remaining prisoners from Paisley to Greenock Jail.

"Large crowds of people in Greenock awaited their arrival and lined along the streets from Cartsdyke to the town centre.

"As the Port Glasgow Volunteers secured the prisoners in the jail, on Bank Street, a lot of workers from Greenock tried to set the prisoners free and this sparked a riot.

"There was a lot of shooting - and eight people died, including an eight-year-old boy, while another 10 were injured." Shaun who studied at Glasgow University and Glasgow Caledonian University, feels that a memorial would be appropriate to remember the people who died during the shocking episode.

He said: "These were ordinary workers, fighting for fairness in an era of repression and in the midst of a harsh economic downturn." The student, who is hoping to go onto to study for a PHD, is hoping to raise enough funds to put a monument in the Cathcart Street area, bearing the names of all those who were killed.

Shaun is also keen to hear suggestions from the public about the form a memorial should take and where it should be specifically placed.

He said: "It is a huge chapter in Inverclyde's history but it has almost been neglected.

"There's a lot of good work being done in the area to promote Inverclyde's history, especially at the 7� John Wood Street community centre in Port Glasgow, and this is exactly what we need to do to engage people to find out about their history." Anyone who wants to make a contribution or share their views should call Shaun on 07590 365944 or email him at skavan11@caledonian.ac.uk