A MAJOR piece of public art worth over £500k which pays tribute to Port Glasgow’s shipbuilding heritage is building up a head of steam after reaching a key milestone.

The first test assembly of the ‘Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow’ sculpture, by renowned artist John McKenna, has been successfully completed.

One of the two stainless steel figures of shipbuilders hard at work - in a nod to the industrial heritage of the town and Inverclyde as a whole - was erected at McKenna’s Ayrshire base.

When fully built, it will measure over 10 metres tall - 33ft - weigh a combined 14 tonnes and will be located in Coronation Park.

The design was chosen during a public vote and the community has been involved in the final design and positioning of the sculpture.

It is thought to be the largest sculptural figure of a shipbuilder in the UK and one of the biggest of its kind in western Europe.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “I’m delighted to see the sculpture starting to take shape.

“John has done a fantastic job.

"It’s an impressive piece of work which I’m very much looking forward to seeing in the heart of Port Glasgow."

The sculpture project began seven years ago and it was originally intended for a roundabout on the A8 before the location was subsequently changed.

Cllr McCormick said: “It’s been a long time coming to get to this stage but I’m sure people will agree that it’s been well worth the wait when you see the sculpture taking shape.

“It was originally commissioned as part of the regeneration of Port Glasgow and will now hopefully become a tourist attraction for people to discover Inverclyde.”

Sculptor McKenna’s works include life size statues of Celtic and Scotland football icons Billy McNeill, Jimmy Johnstone and Jock Stein and British Wimbledon ladies champion Dorothy Round.

He said: “It’s been quite a long project and it’s great to finally see it coming to fruition.

“The test build was the first time I’ve ever seen it together.

“It was made in sections - legs, arms, body and head - in the studio, which is six metres high but the figure itself is about twice that height.

“Although it’s not completed yet because the belt and cuffs are still to go on, it’s great to see it built like this and knowing it’s not far away from being installed.

“It’s definitely the biggest piece I’ve done in my career - two very colossal figures.

“I’ve had helicopters and small aircraft circling around it and people stopping off on the road to see it.”