CITY bosses have countered claims Glasgow's Christmas lights switch-on was a shambles.

Visitors to George Square for the popular annual event said organisers "deserved the sack" as the night was hit with delays.

But Glasgow Life has said safety is top priority and adjustments had to be made with people turning up late.

Gates opened at 5pm with all attendees informed entrances would close at 6.45pm sharp.

However, people were still turning up at that time, causing crowding.

One woman, Fran, said she had asked for a risk assessment of the event as no one was able to answer her health and safety questions on the night.

She added: "They tried to force people into an already over crowded space and the bully boy tactics of a few stewards soon got put in their place.

"A Glasgow Life organiser was unable to answer my questions on the health and safety and was also aware that they had not organised this event properly."

While 16,000 were offered for the Christmas lights switch on, bosses said 13,000 had turned up on Sunday night.

Wayne Thornton said: "Whoever organised how to enter and leave the Square tonight deserves the sack.

"Security guards were letting their mates in through side streets and denying people with kids entrance.

"Gate B was that packed. They had to take down parts of the perimeter fence to avoid people being hurt.

"Security guards had no idea how to deal with people."

Another ticket holder, Jade Gordon, said: "A security guard asked us to move further forward, which we couldn’t as I had my son's pram, which is a disability pram.

"[She shouted out] 'I mean, are youse all deaf?' My son is deaf and I took severe offence."

A spokesman for Glasgow Life said: “The safety of everyone attending the event is our highest priority.

"We wrote to everyone who received tickets advising them of the location of the gates, when they were open from and when they would close to allow the establishment of the fireworks exclusion zone.

"When we became aware there were delays getting people in to the event, we delayed the gate closure and start of the fireworks to get people in safely.

"We made an announcement asking people to move to clearer areas within George Square and they did, which allowed us to get the event underway."

The Glasgow Life spokesman added: "As we do with every event we continually review every aspect of its delivery and will discuss with partners how to best improve for next year.”