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A GLOBAL online petition urging the return of Queen Elizabeth 2’s iconic funnel to South-ampton has attracted almost 2,000 names in just a few days.

People from all over the world have signed up to give their support to the demand that QE2’s distinctive funnel should be given back to the city, the liner’s home for nearly 40 years.

The Daily Echo sparked the idea of the petition after it highlighted serious concerns by shipping experts that the funnel is set to be ripped off the former liner as part of a multi-million-pound conversion plan which will see QE2 transformed into a floating hotel in Dubai.

Angry at the thought of the liner’s crowning glory being dumped on the quayside, QE2 fan Glenn Hipwell, 31, of Sholing, Southampton, appealed via an Internet social networking site for people to add their names to his petition.

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Glenn said: “Ever since I was a small child I can remember looking out of my bedroom window at my mum’s house, then in later years, from various points all over Southampton, and seeing QE2’s red funnel towering over Dock Head.

“This is now a sight none of us will ever see again but we cannot let this piece of Southampton’s heritage just be ripped off and discarded like an oily rag.

“Will we get the funnel back? I don’t expect we will, but at least all those who loved the ship and saw her as part of our city’s heritage can let those who made the decision over QE2’s future know just how much we all care.’’ Within a few hours of the petition appearing on the Internet more than 100 people had joined Glenn’s campaign. Now there are almost 2,000 supporters including names from Canada, Malta, many places in the USA, someone who works for the United Nations in New York, Italy, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and across the UK.

One supporter, who lives in Dubai, said: “The word on the street is that some serious, serious work will be carried out on QE2.

“Rumour has it that everything will be stripped out, demolished and replaced with a new upper superstructure containing five-star penthouse cabins. The funnel will be removed and replaced with a coloured, mirrored glass structure, which will house ultra luxurious suites. It will still be Cunard colours, and look solid from the outside, but be transparent from the inside.

“Decks four and five will be ripped out, and apart from providing structural support, will form no part of the new project.’’