GLASGOW Lord Provost Bob Winter was among the first to sign the world's tallest caber.

At 24ft 10in long, it sets a new record - by two inches.

The caber is being made from the 60ft Christmas tree in George Square, which was taken away by Glasgow woodworking charity the Bullwood Project at the end of the festive season.

Over the next few months, a team of up to 36 carvers will spend 2000 hours transforming the tree into an ornamental caber.

It will then be presented to New York during Scottish Week as a sign of friendship between the two cities.

The trunk will be festooned in scenes, phrases and signatures reflecting Glasgow's past, present and future.

Youngsters from Craigholme School in St Andrew's Drive were the first to have their names signed into the wood.

Project manager Joe Kilmartin said: "This is the first time anyone has used the Christmas tree in such an imaginative way - it's a perfect example of recycling.

"The caber will show aspects of life in Glasgow and Scotland, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Finnieston Crane.

"More children from schools across Glasgow have been invited to sign it over the next few weeks. The charity is arranging for several celebrities to sign up.

"The caber will be a magnificent sight and a credit to Glasgow. It will be shown at Highland Games and other events in the US."