A RESTORED and repainted Second World War mine has gone on display on Helensburgh's seafront – in a bid to raise awareness of, and attract donations for, plans to breathe new life into the town's pier.

The mine, which had been in storage with Argyll and Bute Council, has been put on show at the east end of the town's promenade by the Helensburgh Seafront Development Project (HSDP), in the hope it will draw attention to their cause and prompt people to give financial support to the project.

The pier has been closed to marine traffic since last October on safety grounds, and the operators of the paddle steamer Waverley omitted Helensburgh from their spring bank holiday Clyde cruising schedule when they published their five-day programme for late May last month.

A verbal report on the condition of the pier is due to be given to members of the Argyll and Bute Harbour Board at a meeting in Lochgilphead on Thursday.

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Community volunteers from HSDP have been working for several years on plans to restore the pier and perhaps create a sheltered lagoon area for watersports along the West Bay promenade.

Gerard Lindsay, HSDP's vice-chair, said: "We have engaged a reputable consultant to carry out a comprehensive study into viable options in regards developing the pier and its environs for the benefit of the local community.

"It is our vision to include berths for fee-paying vessels such as yachts, tour boat operators and, potentially, a ferry service to Greenock. It is anticipated that the income generated would be sufficient to maintain the pier thus preserving the iconic structure for future generations.

"We are currently exploring all funding avenues including the placing of the historical 'Helensburgh World War Two mine' at the east end of the town's promenade. The purpose of the mine is to draw attention to our cause and to collect donations from locals and visitors alike."

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The mine was manoeuvred into position with the help of Helensburgh firm R.B. Steel and Wallace Power Systems and Galt Transport of Dumbarton.