The athletics track used at the Commonwealth Games is to be lifted and moved to Falkirk.

The temporary running track installed at Hampden was host to memorable performances by Usain Bolt and home medallists Lynsey Sharp and Eilidh Child during Glasgow 2014.

It will now be permanently laid at Grangemouth Stadium, near Falkirk.

Thousands of steel stilts had to be used at Hampden to raise the level of the pitch and provide the extra length and width needed to accommodate the track.

The track is being removed and cleaned, piece by piece, as work continues to return Hampden to a football stadium.

Falkirk Community Trust applied for a host of sports equipment and infrastructure as part of the Games legacy programme and will also receive javelins, cones, distance markers, hammers, boxing gloves and other items. The running track cost £600,000 and will replace the existing 20-year-old track at the stadium.

According to Scottish Athletics, Grangemouth Stadium was the busiest athletics event stadium in the UK in 2013.

Falkirk Community Trust said the track would be a perfect replacement for its Grangemouth Stadium surface, which was last renewed in 1994 and had fallen below acceptable International Amateur Athletics Federation standards.

Councillor Adrian Mah­oney said: "The Games were a massive success for Glasgow and as part of the legacy programme we are fortunate to be able to benefit from this amazing gesture.

"It means that athletes across the area can train using the best and most modern equipment on a state-of-the-art track to further develop their skills."

Ian Scott, chairman of Falkirk Community Trust, said: "The lasting legacy of the Games will undoubtedly encourage many new ­participants to a variety of different sports.

"Grangemouth already is a 'centre of excellence' when it comes to athletics and other sports - this gift will take it to a whole new level."