BEAUTIFUL weather shone on the Go Greener Family Festival at Barrhead Sports Centre on Saturday.

Barrhead basked in sunlight instead of the torrential rain that was predicted to sweep over the west of Scotland as more than 1,000 people visited the event.

The entrance of the sports centre was turned into a beach for the day with four tonnes of sand supplied by Loo King of Neilston.

Families were joined by the Secretary of State Jim Murphy and MSP Ken Macintosh in the sand pit where they all had fun building sand castles.

The day kicked off with a car boot sale before Barrhead actor Dougie Henshall officially declared the event open.

Celebrity Dougie spent the rest of the day happily signing photographs of himself and posing for photos with fans.

The scorching sunshine meant the outside events were popular with the youngsters who enjoyed playing on the attractions which included a bouncy castle, laser quest, a bungee run and trying to beat the six foot seven tall goalie.

Out in the car park compere Graham Mackie introduced live music from local singer/songwriter Mary Kathleen Burke, Strangetouch. and the band Wildfire.

Inside the main games hall there were displays of Thai boxing, an eco puppet show, Amazonian snake and spider handling sessions and more than 40 craft stalls and others offering advice on energy, seed planting, cycling, recycling, food waste and health.

And if the heat and the stress of keeping the kids amused proved too much there were qualified therapists providing Indian head massage and Reiki sessions for tired out mums and dads.

Councillor Eddie Philips said: 'Magnificent is the only word to describe the Go Greener Family Festival.

'We were delighted the rain stayed away and it brought the people out in their droves.

'The aim of the event, apart from letting the families have a lot of fun, was to promote good health and the environment.' After the event Dougie Henshall told of his delight at being a special guest at the event.

He said: 'I had a great time and it was a real treat to come home and to be welcomed so warmly.

'Thank you for asking me to be part of your family day and if there is anything I can do for Go Greener in the future, I will be happy to help.'