Search begins for 15,000 Commonwealth Games volunteers

A search has begun to enlist 15,000 volunteers to help out during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Following the success of the volunteer scheme at the Olympics, organisers hope to find a wide range of people who can assist both competitors and spectators.

Almost a quarter of adults in Scotland have expressed an interest in volunteering, according to research carried out for organisers.

A volunteer centre is now open and online applications open in January.

Interviews for the positions will take place next year.

According to the survey of 903 people, carried out by Axiom, about one in six (17%) described themselves as "fairly interested" and 7% "very interested" in volunteering.

Even the lower proportion would equate to 180,000 people, the Games organising committee said.

Valerie Mitchell, from the committee, said: "We are very encouraged by this survey as it shows there is an appetite among people in Scotland to go out and volunteer.

"But while this is positive news, there is no complacency on our part that we will get the numbers we require.

"We would urge people to visit the website and register their interest now and hope that they begin to think about how they could be involved to help make a success of the biggest sporting and cultural event ever to come to Scotland."