GLASGOW'S Commonwealth Games were hailed "the best ever" in a night that celebrated the city and her people.

Aussie star Kylie Minogue provided some pop gold as thousands gathered to watch the lowering of the Commonwealth Games Federation flag, signalling the close of the 11-day sporting spectacular.

Fireworks lit up the sky over Hampden Park as the flag was passed to the next hosts, City of Gold Coast, Australia.

HRH Prince Imran, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, praised the success of the event.

Barely able to complete his speech for applause and cheers, he said: "Scotland, you have made the best Games ever.

"Glasgow, you were pure, dead brilliant."

The Games President also announced the partnership with Unicef has raised more than £5million for children of the Commonwealth.

Last night's closing ceremony was themed as a music festival, bringing a mini T in the Park-style event to Scotland's national football stadium, which played such a key role in the Games.

And it wasn't only the athletes who were praised for their hard work and success during the past 11 days.

The city's slogan is People Make Glasgow and all of Glasgow's people were represented.

The crowd gasped as a fire engine was driven on to the pitch, followed by a cleansing van, police motorcycles, an ambulance, school crossing patrollers - and many others who helped the Games.

The thousands of Clydesiders who volunteered to help Glasgow 2014 run smoothly were also highly praised.

SINGER Lulu began proceedings with Shout before Deacon Blue sang Dignity on the star-shaped stage.

Local band Pride also performed as athletes and volunteer perfor-mers, dressed as if at a musical festival, danced around the stage.

Athletes had been hidden in tents on the pitch and as Lulu began singing they burst out to join the dancing.

Karen Matheson, lead singer with Caper-caillie, performed a haunting version of the Robert Burns' Ae Fond Kiss before vice patron of the CGF, Prince Edward formally declared the Games closed.

He said: "Every four years these Games bring the spirit of our Commonwealth alive. They express friendship between nations, and the desire to share our common values, and our common wealth, for the good of humanity and the peace of the world."

THE Queensland tourism minister Jann Stuckey said Glasgow had "set the bar high".

Dressed in a showgirl-themed outfit Kylie performed a blistering set starting with hit Spinning Around, even getting Prime Minister David Cameron up on his feet in the royal box.

Dougie MacLean then performed Caledonia as blue and white confetti rained down on Hampden before he was joined by Lulu for an emotional Auld Lang Syne as applause erupted across the stadium.