THE first formal inspection of how Glasgow is progressing with its plans for the 2014 Commonwealth Games will take place this week, with the event's organisers to launch the "1000 Days" countdown.

A team of inspectors, headed by the Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF) vice-president, will check on all aspects of the city’s preparations, including venues and other infrastructure projects integral to 2014.

The four-day intensive tour of Glasgow, the Commonwealth Games equivalent of an inspection by the International Olympic Committee, will culminate in a public statement later this week by the Canadian CGF vice-president, Bruce Robertson, on the findings by his team of technical advisors.

In all, the CGF’s five-member “co-ordination commission” will carry out a series of six inspections, visiting the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the 2014 Organising Committee.

Councillor Archie Graham, the city council’s head of 2014, said: “I feel confident they will note the excellent progress being made in the delivery of facilities for the Games.”