GLASGOW'S George Square could be in line for its most radical makeover.

Company director Mike Cannon wants to turn the square into a world first by dividing it into 16 segments, each representing a different era in Glasgow's colourful history.

Glasgow and international artists, as well as city schools and colleges would be encouraged to suggest images for each of the segments.

Once chosen by a panel of experts, the designs would be digitally photographed on to the flagstones.

Mr Cannon, who is having talks with Glasgow City Council today about the idea, says his plan would revolutionise the square and make it a focal point of global attention.

Ex-pat Glaswegians would be able to sponsor the segments, while a special webcam would relay real-time images of the square across the world.

Mr Cannon, 56, a graphic designer by profession, has been involved in ventures including music, film, TV and publishing, which have taken him to Ireland, Turkey and Majorca.

He said the idea of turning the square into a gigantic history collage had been with him for years.

"I've always been an ideas person and this came to me one day when I was talking with colleagues about red square' and the history of things that had happened there."

"I just started thinking, What could we do?' and I had the idea of putting a huge mural in the square.

"There's no attraction in George Square - it's an eyesore. There's no feature unless an event is staged that brings people in.

"Other European city centres have a focal-point that means something.

"My whole project is designed to bring tourists into Glasgow and will ensure the square represents something tangible."

The segments considered include the start of the shipbuilding industry, the Middle Ages and transport.

Sophisticated lighting would be installed to ensure flagstone images could be viewed at any time of the day or night.

Mr Cannon's plan also envisages the pavements round the square being used to tell a narrative story that ties into the images on the flagstones.

His idea has already won the backing of Alan L Bain, President of The American-Scottish Foundation, a non-profit US organisation which builds bonds of interest and co-operation between Scotland and the US.

In a letter to Lord Provost Liz Cameron, Mr Bain said he was impressed by the plan.

"I felt its educational purpose, to educate local people as well as visitors on Glasgow's extraordinary history, could be achieved through the plan's imaginative use of an important public space." Timesfile

THE new look George Square could be divided into 16 sections: Ancient history. St Ninian and St Mungo. The Middle Ages. The Reformation. The 18th century Tobacco Lords. The start of the shipbuilding industry. Two world wars. The 19th century Industrial Revolution. Post-war era. Post-war housing regeneration. 20th century regeneration. Transport. Cultural renaissance. Millennium projects. Ethnic diversity. The modern-day tourist bonanza.