Irish dancing championship begins in Glasgow

The event begins on Sunday and will run for eight days

Thousands of dancers have arrived in Glasgow for the 40th World Irish Dancing Championships.

The city is hosting the event for the third time after beating off competition from Boston, Killarney and Derry.

Some 4,500 dancers are taking part in the annual championships after travelling from 32 countries.

The eight day competition will feature prizes for everything from stepdancing to celidh.

There are also fringe events, with Irish language classes and stalls at the competition, which is being staged at the Royal Concert Hall.

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, which funded and supported the event, said that with 15,000 family members, friends, teachers and supporters also due to attend, the competition would be worth an estimated £7m to the local economy.