A PLASTIC version of the iconic Comet is being considered by Inverclyde Council as a cut-price replacement for the exact wooden copy of Henry Bell's famous ship, the Tele can reveal.

Municipal Buildings chiefs — who were humiliated after their repeated refusal to release a condition report on the derelict replica was ruled unlawful — are floating the idea as a part of proposals to 'commemorate' Comet.

But the local authority still has no finalised plan of action, 17 months after being told in the £5,000 expert report that the current ship, which has been left to rot through a decade of inaction, is beyond repair.

After being pressed by Telegraph to explain what it means by looking to 'commemorate' the symbol of Inverclyde's rich maritime heritage, the council has disclosed details of ideas under consideration.

One is the creation of a 'glass reinforced plastic (GRP) replica' for outdoor display and another is a potential 'scaled' replica constructed in timber which could be housed within Port Glasgow Town Hall.

A report which went before members of the environment and regeneration committee last year estimated the cost of replacing Comet at between £250,000 and £750,000.

Port Glasgow councillor Drew McKenzie immediately urged exploration of cheaper alternatives to a full-size working replica, which the current Comet was when she was built in 1962.

Mr McKenzie said: "What we are really talking about going forward is an ornament — a shell of a boat.

Comet Replica, Port Glasgow.

Comet Replica, Port Glasgow.

"It is not for sailing in.

"Something though that will stand proud in the town.

"The cost for such a production need not be prohibitive and we in the Port Glasgow Regeneration Forum will be looking closely at how this can be best achieved."

The Telegraph recently won a freedom of information victory after contesting the council's secrecy over the condition report.

The local authority twice insisted it was not sufficiently in the public interest to publish the November 2019 report before it went before elected members — who didn't get to debate it until 11 months later.

But following our appeal, Scotland's Information Commissioner's Office declared that Inverclyde Council had failed to comply with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

The current Comet underwent a £180,000 refurbishment at Ferguson's shipyard around a decade ago but a plan to protect her from the elements with a £165,000 canopy was scrapped.

On the ongoing plans to replace her, a council spokesman said: "The environment and regeneration committee on October 20, 2020 was presented with the naval architect report and members gave approval for officers to work with the Port Glasgow Regeneration Forum to consider options for the Comet replica.

"At the subsequent forum meeting it was agreed to establish a Comet sub-group to focus on the matter.

"The sub-group expressed concerns about the adverse weather effect on any timber reconstruction and the possible need to house such a replica in an enclosed, environmentally-controlled space and the related cost of such an additional structure.

"The sub-group tasked officers with establishing the feasibility of a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) replica which could be located outdoors and this was confirmed as viable.

"Officers have now been tasked with exploring the feasibility of a scaled model replica, constructed in timber, and possibly located within an existing enclosure, perhaps the town hall.

"This study is currently ongoing and officers will continue to explore any options requested by the sub-group."