East Renfrewshire man is putting Scotland on the map by using Lego

Civil engineer Michael Dineen has used the toy bricks to create a replica of the iconic Forth Bridge and needs another 5,000 signatures for it to be put on Lego’s shelves around the world.

As part of his campaign, which started two years ago, his impressive creation was put on display at Glasgow Central train station.

Michael, 42, said he would be thrilled to reach the 10,000 signatures needed for Lego to consider distributing his Forth Bridge creation in stores.

“It would be a massive achievement, not only to know that something I’ve designed has been well received by 10,000 people worldwide, but also the biggest toy manufacture in the world would see the value of adding it to their shelves,” added the lifelong Lego enthusiast.

“It is something hardly anybody has the opportunity to experience and to get to that point would be something incredible.”

Having moved to Scotland from South Africa 28 years ago, Michael said working as a civil engineer inspired him to create one of the country’s most famous landmarks with 3,200 pieces of Lego.

Other impressive Lego work he has created includes The Clansman pub and Navid’s shop from BBC comedy Still Game, which led to him making two appearances as an extra on the show.

And he admits he would love to create Lego versions of Jack and Victor, the show’s main characters.

Michael, from Clarkston, added: “Lego said ‘thanks but no thanks’ to that idea but I’m actually in talks with Greg Hemphill and Ford Kiernan to see if we could make it happen.”

Each year, Lego invites enthusiasts to submit new designs. By going to his submission on the Lego ideas website or searching for ‘Lego Ideas Forth Bridge’ online, you can click the ‘support’ button to add an electronic signature to Michael’s endeavour to put the Forth Bridge on Lego shelves.