Around 3,000 volunteers are being sought to take part in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow 2014 organisers launched their recruitment drive with exactly six months to go until the curtains go up on the sporting spectacle.

Games bosses want up to 3,000 "genuine and enthusiastic" voluntary cast members to take part in the ceremonies being held at Celtic Park and Hampden.

The events - the details of which are being kept closely under wraps - will be seen by live audiences of more than 40,000 people and a potential global TV audience of more than one billion.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: "The opening and closing ceremonies of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be a moment for Glasgow and Scotland to shine brightly on the global stage, demonstrating the genuine passion and enthusiasm the host city and country have for the Games.

"This is about showcasing the very best of a city and a nation to an international audience and how better to do that than through the enthusiasm and passion of its people."

On July 23, the opening ceremony will officially launch the start of Scotland's biggest ever festival of sport and culture.

Applications to be part of the cast, which covers both ceremonies and some elements which will be pre-recorded, have opened and will be accepted until February 14. Auditions will take place in March.

All mass cast places are voluntary and no previous experience is required, but applicants must be aged 18 or over by March 1 this year. They must be available to attend auditions in Glasgow and to rehearse and attend the performance.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "2014 is Scotland's year to shine. Auditioning to take part in the opening and closing ceremonies at the Games will give people the chance to take a break from the 'every day' and potentially be part of a special moment.

"Whether from the host city or further afield - I hope aspiring performers of all ages will take the chance to be part of the cast, to represent Glasgow and Scotland, and to give a warm welcome to the world."

Glasgow City Council depute leader Councillor Archie Graham said: "The eyes of the world will be on Glasgow during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games and we want people from all walks of life to take centre stage.

"We are going to put on a show that will have the people of Glasgow and Scotland at its very heart. Our people are Glasgow's biggest asset and that will shine through during the ceremonies."

For details about how to apply, and for an online application form, go to www.glasgow2014.com.

Mr Grevemberg said they are looking for "extraordinary ordinary people" to take part.

He added: "The creative aspects of the ceremony are obviously very closely under wraps but what I can tell you is that it's going to be a fantastic engaging event that really will set the tone and the tempo of 11 days of world-class competition that is the Commonwealth Games.

"It will have that contemporary element but it will also have some of the more traditional elements that people associate with Glasgow and Scotland at the same time so we're really confident that people will be excited about it and it will hit the mark."