UP TO 1000 people are expected to take part in a huge show of strength against plans for a nightclub in a West End park.

UP TO 1000 people are expected to take part in a huge show of strength against plans for a nightclub in a West End park.

They will turn out in force later this month to plant tiny flags across the Botanic Gardens to hammer home to politicians the attraction belongs to the people of Glasgow.

It's the latest demonstration by Save Our Botanics who are furious at the proposal by Stefan King's G1 Group to build a restaurant, cafe/bar and club in one of the city's best-loved green spaces.

Glasgow lawyer David Howat, chairman of Save Our Botanics, said today: "We hope between 500 and 1000 people will take part, everyone planting their own little flag.

"We feel very strongly that the Botanic Gardens is part of the common good' and was given to the city of Glasgow for the benefit of everyone - which means the council has no right to try and lease it to the G1 Group."

Mr Howat added that the flags, which will bear the Save Our Botanics logo, will be cleared up afterwards as "we are acutely aware of the need to protect the environment - that's why we are campaigning against this development."

The G1 Group want to spend £7million on the project with an underground nightclub earmarked for a disused railway tunnel under the park.

Glasgow City Council granted Mr King a 99-year lease although it's understood the terms of the agreement are currently being negotiated and the firm has yet to submit a planning application.

The plan has sparked hundreds of objections and a 4000-name petition, which was submitted to senior councillors last month.

Glasgow celebrities such as Greg Hemphill, Ford Kiernan and Paul Riley from Still Game, Belle and Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch and River City actor Gilly Gilchrist were among those backing the Save Our Botanics campaign.

Supporters are being asked to take part in the "Stake Your Claim" rally at the park at 2pm on Sunday, March 30.

A council spokeswoman said: "Should a planning application come forward it would be dealt with on exactly the same grounds as any other application."

A G1 Group spokesman said: "It's a pity that people are so agitated under the misapprehension that this project will bring anything other than benefits to the area.

"G1 Group is willing to listen to local people. It is strange that they have never contacted us."