AROUND 1000 people are gearing up for a major demonstration against controversial plans for a nightclub in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens.

AROUND 1000 people are gearing up for a major demonstration against controversial plans for a nightclub in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens.

Hundreds of protesters will plant tiny flags across the West End park in a bid to assert their belief the gardens belong to the people of Glasgow and should be safeguarded for future generations.

The protest is going ahead despite reports last week suggesting Stefan King's G1 Group may be pulling out of the plan.

Members of pressure group Save Our Botanics are determined to thwart any proposal to build a restaurant/cafe bar and club in one of the city's best-loved green spaces.

The group's chairman David Howat said: "Our protest will go ahead regardless of reports last week suggesting G1 may withdraw their plans or even part of their plans.

"We have heard no official announcement from Glasgow City Council.

"We still think it is crucial to stage this event to underline the fact that the Botanics 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 lease it out."

The G1 Group want to invest £7million in the Botanics and had earmarked a disused railway tunnel under the park for a nightclub.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said: "Glasgow City Council remains in active negotiations with G1 Group."

Sunday's flag protest at will start at 2pm.

Meanwhile the fate of another much-loved Glasgow park is now to be determined by Scottish Ministers.

Earlier this week city councillors voted 14-6 in favour of a tree-top adventure course at Pollok Park, as reported by the Evening Times.

But the matter is to be referred to the Scottish Government because of the council's vested interest in the park and the level of public concern.