REVELLERS attending Glasgow’s Christmas lights switch on will have to pay a £2.50 charge for tickets this year.

More than 250,000 people applied for tickets for last year’s free balloted event, which had a capacity of about 13,000.

The tickets will continue to be allocated through the ballot process and maximum ticket requests per household will remain at six.

However, there are fears that the cost will put hard-up families off of attending.

Households buying six tickets will pay £15.

The changes to the switch on are being made following a public consultation.

Research showed about 15% - 2000 tickets – were unused in 2014.

Glasgow Life hope the ticket cost will ensure everyone allocated a ticket will attend the switch on.

This year 93% of tickets will be allocated to Glasgow residents instead of the usual 80%.

The remaining 7% will go to visitors outwith the city.

Although the majority of people surveyed in the consultation indicated support for a fee, those opposed to it said is should remain free because it is paid from council tax, it is socially unjust and that Christmas is already too expensive.

City Centre SNP councillor Eva Bolander said: "As a new Councillor in Glasgow with a family, I know that the delight of seeing the Christmas Lights switch on is always a highlight for families, which heralds the festive season.

"For families on a strained budget the cost could stop them from even applying for tickets."

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: “Glasgow’s Christmas Lights switch-on is one of the most keenly anticipated events of the year and one which many people have very personal memories of but every year approximately 15% of the tickets issued aren’t used even though we receive enough requests in the ballot to see George Square filled 10 times over.

“A survey conducted after last year’s ballot received an overwhelming response with 500 people completing it within half an hour.

“80% of respondents indicated broad support for the reintroduction of a small fee which would encourage applicants to ask for the number of tickets they require instead of the maximum and would cover the costs of the ballot and ticket distribution.”