Jimmy Reid's family fights for work of art

Mourners at Jimmy Reid's funeral this Thursday will be asked donate funds so a portrait of the late trade unionist can be bought for public ownership.

• Jimmy Reid

The painting, by Glasgow artist Barry Atherton and his wife Linda, is priced at 45,000 and Mr Reid's family want to buy it for the city's People's Palace.

They will ask mourners to donate funds to buy the painting rather than buying flowers.

The funeral of Mr Reid, who died last week aged 78, will be held at Govan Parish church tomorrow, following a ceremony in the morning on the Isle of Bute. Close friend Bob Thomson said: "The idea of raising money for the painting came from his daughter Irene. It isn't just a painting of Jimmy, it's a montage of Scottish history."

The painting is currently hanging at the city's People's Palace. It is understood a further 10,000 would enable it to be bought and then hung there permanently. A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: "It would be a very appropriate place for Jimmy Reid's portrait. We're very keen to have it."