SINGER Lulu is to make a return to her home city as the main act at a Glasgow Green concert to celebrate the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

The star is expected to sing some of her best known hits, including Shout and Boom Bang-A-Bang, when she performs alongside a host of Scottish acts, as Glasgow 2014 begins at Celtic Park on July 23.

It marks a return to her roots for the 65-year-old, who grew up in Dennistoun.

Across the city, Glasgow band Belle and Sebastian will headline events at the newly restored £2.1million bandstand in Kelvingrove Park.

The Festival 2014 Opening Ceremony Parties will mark the start of 12 days of live entertainment, with hundreds of performers appearing throughout the Games. Revellers will also be able to watch all the action from the opening and closing ceremonies at park celebrations.

Lulu will be joined by artists including singer songwriters Eddi Reader and James Grant, and Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire.

She said: "The Commonwealth Games are going to be amazing. Glasgow has much to shout about this year - and I look forward to cheering our sporting heroes on to success at the Games.

"I am delighted to join thousands of Glaswegians and those from across the Commonwealth on Glasgow Green to celebrate the opening of such a momentous event.

"My home city has an incredible, worldwide reputation for friendliness and enjoying a good-old get-together. The opening ceremony celebration on Glasgow Green is the perfect occasion to invite everyone to join the party."

Belle and Sebastian will be the first band to perform at the revamped bandstand in Kelvingrove Park, which they helped refurbish after leading the fundraising campaign.

Drummer Richard Colburn said: "We have been fans of the bandstand for quite a while. Stuart (Murdoch) was quite vocal about it over the years and it's fantastic that it's happening now. It's going to be really special, it's a perfect amphitheatre.

"We might temper the set a bit to reflect the occasion."

Celebrations to mark the closing ceremony at Hampden Park on August 3 will give fans a chance to relive the highlights of the Games with Treacherous Orchestra leading a second party on Glasgow Green, along with surprise guests.

Events at the bandstand will include a new commission from Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra and classical music from Scottish Opera.

Councillor Archie Graham, executive member for the Commonwealth Games, said: "Glasgow will burst into life during Games times and I have no doubt that everyone will want to celebrate and where better than in some of our most iconic locations.

"The eyes of the world will be on us and everyone will see that Glasgow really does know how to put on a party."

Eileen Gallagher, independent board member for Glasgow 2014, said: "We want as many people as possible to celebrate this amazing time in the city's life, with thousands gathered together on Glasgow Green and at Kelvingrove Bandstand. The opening and closing ceremonies will bring city, nation and Commonwealth together and we want everyone to be a part of that."

l Tickets for the concerts go on sale at 10am today and £1 from each sold will be donated to children's charity Unicef.