Thousands partied in the sunshine on Glasgow Green as they counted down to the start of the Games.

The green space in the heart of the city has been transformed as a centre of Festival 2014, the cultural programme running alongside the Games, and was filled with more than 10,000 revellers who made the most of the summer weather to camp out on the grass and soak up the atmosphere.

Security was tight as the city got its first view of the measures that have been put in to make sure the games run smoothly, with airport-style scanners deployed at all entrances, while an army of hundreds of uniformed volunteers were on hand to help guide the event over any bumps in the road.

The concert was headlined by Lulu, who took to the stage before the huge screen put up for the crowd switched over to scenes of the opening ceremony happening up the road at Celtic Park.

Also on the bill was Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire, James Grant and Eddi Reader.

Reader said: "It's just an honour to do something for Glasgow. I love seeing the city like this and seeing it celebrated.

"It's my home and 50 years ago I was wondering about here as a toddler. It's lovely to be here and it's lovely to be involved."

Ten-year-old Hannah Watters, from Glasgow, will sing with her choir at the Theatre Royal later this week as part of Festival 2014.

Her father Stephen said: "Glasgow Green is great. They certainly got the weather for it. How they did that I don't know.

"Hannah has been looking forward to this for weeks. And she's getting to play a part in the festival later."

Anne Martin, from Glasgow, said: "I'm so excited about the games. It's fabulous that it's finally here. It's a great way to show off Glasgow and let our foreign visitors meet our friendly people. I come to Glasgow Green for the Proms in the Park each year so when I heard about the festival i thought 'Yeah, this is for me.'" Nicola Foote had travelled to Glasgow from Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, with her daughter Hannah Mitchell, 11.

She said: "It's going to be awesome. It's been a great night and a really friendly event. It's my daughter's first concert and it's really set up for families."

Proudly wearing the Australian flag, Clay Stafford, 22, from Melbourne, said: "Yes I've come a very long way for this, but it's worth it. We've got to support our team."