A group of maritime enthusiasts are in a race against time to save an historic Scottish-built steamship from the scrapyard.

The Queen Mary, built in Dumbarton in 1933, has been put up for sale on the internet auction site eBay for £200,000.

The vessel is the only turbine steamer of its kind left in the world, but its French owners have warned that it could be scrapped if the reserve price isn't met.

Iain Sim, who represents a consortium called Queen Mary Ltd which is trying to buy the vessel, said he was hopeful that he could raise the cash.

But with the sellers setting a deadline of 5pm on Wednesday for a buyer to come forward, time is running out for the ship.

Mr Sim told STV News: "For so long we've not been that great at preserving maritime heritage. We'll preserve buildings - hundreds of buildings that enjoy millions of pounds worth of public subsidy - but we've not been so good at preserving our maritime heritage.

"I think there is an awakening in Glasgow and Scotland of the importance of what we gave to the world. People engage with it, they remember the ship, they love the ship and they want to see her back."

Auctioneer Richard Lane said that despite lying disused for two years, the vessel was still essentially in sound condition.

He said: "Cosmetically she's in a poor condition, but don't forget she was trading two years ago, so there's a good basis to build on."

SEE ALSO

• eBay listing for the Queen Mary