A DOZEN MSPs have thrown their support behind a campaign to bring the cruise ship QE2 back to the Clyde.

Clydebank MSP Gil Paterson tabled a Parliamentary motion calling the ship an "icon of Scottish shipbuilding" and pledging support to the group behind the drive.

By noon yesterday, Mr Paterson's motion had been backed by 11 fellow MSPs and praised by the man leading calls to permanently moor the QE2 on Clydebank, where she was built at John Brown's yard more than 40 years ago.

Charlie Sherry, 47, whose father worked on the QE2, began an online campaign to save the 963ft cruiser after reports that she was on the verge of being sold for scrap by her Dubai owners. More than 2000 people have pledged support on Facebook and 276 have signed a petition calling for the Scottish Government to intervene.

Mr Paterson said: "I fully support the campaign to have this wonderful vessel returned to its home town. It should be returned home for future generations to cherish and be proud of."

The MSPs who have added their names to the motion are Annabelle Ewing, Rob Gibson, Joan McAlpine, Roderick Campbell, Kenneth Gibson, Adam Ingram, Bill Walker, Willie Coffey, Sandra White, Chic Brodie and David Torrance.

Mr Sherry praised the support his campaign was generating. He said: "It is fantastic. That is what we are looking for. I would hope that we could get cross-party support for the campaign. Obviously if we have got any chance to get the QE2 back we need the support of the whole country."

A group has been set up to look at funding and make contact with Dubai. The next meeting will be on January 28 at the Hub Community Centre in Clydebank.