SOCIAL media has boosted the global reach of this year's Celtic Connections music festival to record levels as it attracted more than 110,000 people and sold more than £1.15 million worth of tickets.

More than 2000 artists from around the globe performed over 18 days in the 17th year of the event, which ended last night.

Promoters said the use of social media had been outstanding and boosted interest around the world. The Facebook page attracted more than 20,000 likes and Twitter followers now stand at more than 12,000.

Artists interacted with the festival via social media - with AR Rahman posting that he was at Celtic Connections to his 16.5 million Facebook supporters.

Donald Shaw, Artistic Director, said: "Celtic Connections 2014 really has been the biggest and best yet. It was really exciting to showcase the festival at the SSE Hydro and attendances have once again been fantastic, topping 110,000 for the first year ever. I would like to say a special thanks to the amazing artists who travelled all the way from Australia and India to be part of the festival - they definitely added an extra special element this year."

There was a record attendance in the middle weekend with more than 25,000 people attending events.

The Mahotella Queens, Karine Polwart, Dougie MacLean, Rachel Sermanni and Salsa Celtica played at an International Burns Night. Violinist Nicola Benedetti opened the festival.

Councillor Archie Graham, chairman of ­Glasgow Life, said: "The festival has drawn people from around the globe to attend this internationally renowned event."