VOLUNTEERS at the Commonwealth Games have claimed the first day of competing has "gone like clockwork".

Clydesiders helping out at events in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) precinct praised the friendliness of the crowds and said so far the Games were proving to be a great experience for them.

Sarah Neilson, 30, a solicitor from Edinburgh, who is volunteering with press operations in netball, said: "I'm so glad I decided to get involved. You feel like you're part of something great and I'm meeting new people all the time.

"So far, it's been a great experience."

Volunteer, Eddie Mir, 61, from South London, said he felt it was his "civic duty" to get involved.

He added: "The day has gone like clockwork, there have been absolutely no problems and it's gone by so quickly as it's been so much fun. Everyone I've dealt with has been really nice and friendly. The Glaswegians have been great - I've already made some friends which I hope will be friends for life."

Another Clydesider, Maureen Holdaway, from Surrey, added: "I volunteered at London 2012 so I thought I would do this as well. There's a different atmosphere here and different sports, but it's been great just the same."

Meanwhile, volunteers who took part in the Games' opening ceremony spoke about their moment in the spotlight.

Cast members had pledged to keep their roles in the ceremony top secret.

For Nicola Wheeldon the build- up to the night was longer than most, the 30-year-old having waited four years for Wednesday night's spectacular show.

She said: "I was nominated to take part in the Delhi handover in 2010 and that was such a fantastic experience that when they said they would need people to take part in four years time, I was determined I would get involved.

"I was basically waiting four years to perform on Wednesday night and it didn't disappoint. It was amazing, just the most incredible experience."

Ms Wheeldon was part of the Marshal group, tasked with giving the athletes a proper Glasgow welcome before keeping them comfortable during the show. The 500-strong team was given intensive training in the build up to opening night.

Timing was everything: the Marshals were given a tricky sequence to perform with their "oddball chairs" - each marshal had their own hand-picked, second hand seat - before setting out the seats for the athletes, while the sportsmen and women were walking into the stadium. And stamina was the watchword of the night, the Marshals being on stage dancing for around two hours.

"It was a brilliant feeling when everything went to plan," added Ms Wheeldon, who works for the Department of International Development.

l SCOTS overwhelmingly think the Commonwealth Games will have a positive effect on the public mood.

Overall, 86% polled by Ipsos MORI believe the Games will have a positive impact, and 39% think it will be 'very positive'. Just 4% think the effect will be negative.

The mood is shared across the population, though women (88%) and young people (90% of those aged 16-34) are particularly positive.