A 27-TONNE sculpture that has been abandoned in Clydebank for over three decades has been put back on display - more than 30 years after it was created for a major event in Glasgow.

The sculpture, known as ‘The Floating Head’, was created by artist Richard Groom and was made with the help of out-of-work shipbuilders for the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988.

After the event, it was left abandoned on the banks of the Clyde - and was at risk of being destroyed until it was found and moved to Rothesay Dock East on the north bank of the river, where it was then largely forgotten.

However, following Groom’s death in 2019, the artist’s family and friends set out to track down the sculpture and restore and conserve it.

Richard’s brother Andy said: “Myself and my family were so touched at Richard’s funeral where so many of his friends and colleagues commented on all of his work especially the Floating Head.

“It became apparent very quickly we had to find it, fix it, float it.

“We couldn’t believe our luck when we found and met with Offshore Workboats who had rescued it.

“We then tracked down and met Ian Henderson, the owner of the head, who has allowed us the opportunity to display the head again for the public to see.

“We’re really grateful to all of them, and everyone else, who has made it possible for us to have the sculpture restored and returned to the heart of Glasgow.”

It has been partially restored in a project led by Sculpture Placement Group (SPG).

A crowdfunding campaign run by SPG and the family raised £7,000, helping to cover the cost of the restoration, which was carried out by Concrete Repairs Ltd, while £13,000 came from donations and grants.

The sculpture will be moored in the Canting Basin, at Govan Docks, from now until October 6 and will form a centrepiece of Glasgow Doors Open Day.