DAILY Echo paperboy Colin Thompson was not even a glint in his father's eye when Queen Mary last sailed from Southampton in 1967.

Come to think of it, his father Mark, 44, had only just started primary school.

But together, the father and son team believe that the best way to give Southampton back its WOW factor is to tow Queen Mary back from her current home at Long Beach in California and moor her in the city's docks where she could serve as the centrepiece of a city maritime museum.

Colin, 13, a pupil at Mountbatten School in Romsey, came up with his brainwave (with a little help from dad) after reading about leisure chief's hunt for the elusive WOW factor in the Daily Echo.

Sports mad Colin, whose favourite subject at school is PE, would also like to see a depiction of an ocean liner such as the first Queen Elizabeth represented as two huge masts and funnels which could be seen from Southampton Water.

They would be spaced apart in such a way that the impression would be given from a distance that the ship was actually in the city.

Colin's other ideas include rebuilding the city's famous Royal Pier and recreating the famous Ocean Terminal - as well as improving the city's creaking public transport system with a network of trams.

He said: "The transport system in Southampton is not up to much at the moment really."

Dad Mark added: "What we need here is something that is unique to Southampton. The funnels could be built in such a way that coming up Southampton Water you could see it. Whether the idea is practical or too expensive is another matter."

Last week, the Daily Echo launched its competition for readers to design a building or structure which would give Southampton its "WOW" factor.

Associated British Ports, which owns Southampton docks, told the Daily Echo the plan was unlikely to be feasible.

Entries can either be drawings or in writing. The winner will get six bottles of champagne. Entrants under 18 will get a stack of DVDs.

The closing date for entries is Friday, December 10. They should be sent to David Newble, Southern Daily Echo, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX. Alternatively, e-mail david.newble@soton-echo.co.uk.