THEY were symbols of the Commonwealth Games which were photographed by hundreds of thousands of people.

As Games mascot, Clyde brought a smile to the face of everyone who saw him.

And the Big G in George Square was a popular representation of what came to be described as the best ever Games.

When the athletes left, one of the mascots was stolen resulting in the hugely popular Clyde Trail being dismantled.

But although they have been out of the public eye for months, Clyde and the Big G have not been forgotten.

This week, the first of 22 life size statues of the cheeky chappy, each of which has an outfit specially designed by local children, will start appearing at Games venues and public buildings.

Among them will be a replacement for the statue which was stolen from its location on Edmiston Drive in Ibrox

Every council ward in the city will have one of the brightly coloured fibreglass statues which were brought to life using local and national artists.

Clyde will find new homes at Hampden Stadium, the Emirates Arena, Tollcross International Swimming Centre and Scotstoun Sports Campus - which were all Games venues.

He will also take pride of place in the City Chambers, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Tramway, Pollock civic realm, Hillhead, Partick, Baillieston, Cardonald and Pollokshaws libraries.

And Clyde will become a feature of Glasgow Club venues in Castlemilk, Bellahouston, Drumchapel, Maryhill and Springburn as well as The Bridge in Easterhouse, Milton Community Campus, Toryglen Regional Football Centre and Whitehill Pool.

The much-loved giant floral displays of Clyde are also about to make a return to Glasgow allowing visitors to the city during spring and summer to see him at his best.

One is returning to Glasgow Green where it was seen by hundreds of thousands of people attending the Festival 2014 Live Zone or Games events and the second will be based outside Riverside Museum.

The Big G, which is a 3D sculpture of the Games logo, is to be permanently positioned outside Kelvingrove where it will be enjoyed by not only the million plus people who visit the art gallery each year but also by drivers, people on public transport, cyclists and pedestrians.

It has still to undergo some preparatory work before it becomes a permanent part of the Glasgow landscape in its new base next to the Argyll Street entrance to the visitor attraction.

Beth Gilmour was just 12 when she sketched the green "thistleman" with purple hair who proved such a hit with Games fans.