A HUGE appeal is to be launched to raise £5million towards the total cost of Glasgow's new Riverside Museum.

Glasgow City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund have provided £69m of the £74m bill for replacing the outdated Museum of Transport in the West End.

Now businesses and local people are to be asked to fund the balance with organisers hoping they'll come up trumps again just like they did for the world-famous Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

The appeal will be launched on August 24 in George Square by appeal chairman Sir Robert Smith, a high-powered Glasgow businessman who is chairman of the Weir Group.

Sir Robert said: "Like generations of Glaswegians, I have always taken great pride in the rich cultural treasures which we enjoy and share with visitors.

"My personal favourite is the Museum of Transport and I am delighted to chair the charitable appeal to help fund the creation of an iconic home for this magnificent collection on the banks of the Clyde.

"The Riverside Museum is a visionary and exciting project and will be a symbol of the proud city tradition of innovative and popular museums."

At the launch will be a restored South African Locomotive 3007 which was built in Glasgow in 1945. It will be the centrepiece of the new museum when it opens in 2010.

Earlier this year it was revealed the cost of the new Riverside Museum building had soared by around £14m.

A substantial rise in the cost of raw materials due to the economic boom in China was blamed but Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid's detailed design was also cited as a reason.

The public appeal to help fund Kelvingrove's restoration set out with a target of £5m but brought in £12.75m, much of it from Evening Times readers.

Anthony McReavy, director of the Riverside Museum appeal, said: "Sir Robert Smith has a track record that is second to none and his commitment to the appeal will ensure its success.

"We know there is great affection for Glasgow's museums and the treasures they hold.

"We will be looking to big businesses and individuals to play their part by contributing to what will be one of the finest museums in the UK."

Around 500,000 people currently visit the Transport Museum each year.