Scottish bid to stage showpiece event successful

Glasgow's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games ended in triumph today.

Scotland's biggest city beat off competition from the Nigerian capital Abuja to win the crucial ballot.

Glasgow had been the firm favourites going into today's meeting of Commonwealth Games Federation delegates in Sri Lanka.

The Glasgow bid won by 47 votes to 24. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond hailed Glasgow's victory and pledged:

"We will make these Games the greatest sporting event our country has ever seen.

"They will be our chance to show the whole world the very best of Scotland."

The result was greeted with cheers of joy from the Scottish bid team in Sri Lanka. And there were scenes of celebration in Glasgow as the news was broadcast live on big screens at a series of public events.

The Glasgow bid organisers had faced an agonising wait after the final presentations ended before the result was announced by Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president Mike Fennell at 12.42pm UK time.

Mr Salmond headed up Glasgow's final presentation which lasted around 30 minutes and was accompanied by a video narrated by Sir Sean Connery.

He told delegates that Scotland was ready to host the Games for the first time since 1986.

The First Minister said hosting the Games in Glasgow would mean people would be "united in celebration of sport".

Glasgow were favourites because of the technical strength of the bid but Abuja was thought to have a lot of support from those hoping to see the Games in Africa for the first time.

The victory will result in a massive regeneration of Glasgow's east end, with new investment in sporting and housing facilities.