PAISLEY will be sending off its UK City of Culture 2021 bid on Friday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to a party.

The town is the only Scottish location to make the final shortlist alongside Coventry, Stoke, Sunderland and Swansea.

The winner will be announced in December.

Paisley is planning to mark the occasion with a mass public send-off in the town centre on Friday morning.

Everyone is invited to the Cenotaph at Paisley Cross from 10.30am for a short performance which will start at 10.45am and end in the bid being ceremonially waved off.

Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said: “We have been planning a very special moment which will allow people to show their support for the town’s bid.

“There is nothing which has greater potential to transform Paisley than becoming UK City of Culture in 2021.

“With more than 34,000 people involved in the conversation around the bid, there has been incredible backing so far – both locally and further afield as Paisley’s bid became Scotland’s bid.

“We are keeping the exact details under wraps as we want to keep it a surprise as much as we can. 

“All I’ll say is the bid document has been written to capture as many Paisley voices as possible, and this short event will bring that concept to life in a way unique to us.

“Please come down and join us – I look forward to seeing a crowd of people there on the day. And if you can’t be there, please show your support on social media.”

It is estimated Paisley’s 2021 year could bring a £175m economic boost and create the equivalent of 4,700 jobs over a ten-year period while attracting more than 800,000 visitors in 2021.

Current UK City of Culture hosts Hull have seen £1 billion of investment since winning the title in 2013.