Funding deal for 'iconic' museum

The Riverside Museum is scheduled to open in 2011

Plans for an iconic transport museum in Glasgow have moved a step closer after the engineering firm BAE Systems signed a £500,000 five-year sponsorship deal.

The £74m Riverside Museum near the SECC will replace the city's existing museum of transport at Kelvingrove.

The bulk of funding, £69m, has already been committed by Glasgow City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

A charitable trust has been formed to raise the additional £5m from sponsorship and donations.

The deal from BAE Systems brings the public fundraising appeal to £2m with a further £3m needed before the museum's scheduled opening in 2011.

'Engineering marvel'

Charles Thompson, from BAE Systems, said: "The museum brings together a proud celebration of heritage, but also looks to the future.

"If we can, through this support, encourage young engineers and manufacturing apprentices, to continue that fantastic heritage, then it's of huge value to us and to Scotland."

The museum will help to deliver exhibits and educational activities for schools and young people.

Chairman of the Riverside Museum Appeal, Lord Smith of Kelvin, said: "This is an outstanding contribution from a company which has long been at the forefront of engineering and manufacturing in Scotland.

"The construction of the museum is an engineering marvel itself and this partnership with BAE Systems will ensure that we can continue to celebrate the finest in design and construction."