GLASGOW can expect £3.6million economic boost when Radio 1's Big Weekend rolls into town.

The free, two-day festival will he held at Glasgow Green on May 24 and 25, attracting 50,000 music fans from across the country.

The big gig was announced yesterday morning live on air as Nick Grimshaw presented his Radio 1 Breakfast Show from the BBC Scotland HQ at Pacific Quay.

Pop stars Rita Ora and Paolo Nutini, who were also in Glasgow for the broadcast, were announced as the first two acts on the bill.

The rest of the acts will be announced in the coming weeks but Radio 1 bosses said this year's Big Weekend, which has previously been headlined by Lady Gaga and the Foo Fighters, will have "the best line up yet".

The Big Weekend has been organised in partnership with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and joins the Commonwealth Games and MTV Europe Music Awards on a packed bill of events heading to the city this year.

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson, who is also chairman of the marketing bureau, said the Big Weekend will bring millions to the city.

He said: "This is the year of Glasgow.

"The city is buzzing with the excitement of the Commonwealth Games, the MTV Awards and now Radio 1's Big Weekend.

"These events help to build on our international reputation and will help to attract more people to live, work and study here.

"The economic impact is estimated at £3.6m."

Officials from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau first contacted Radio 1 to ask them to come to the city five years ago.

Rob Spring, live events manager at the station, said: "This felt like the right year for us to join in the party.

"We have been working with the city council for the last four to five months.

"The first thing we had to do was find a site."

A team at Radio 1 are now working to secure top name acts.

Mr Spring wasn't giving away any clues, but said: "It is the best line up that we have had across a range of genres - rock, indie and urban.

"When we are speaking to acts, they seem genuinely excited about coming to Glasgow."

Tickets for the Big Weekend will be released in March, and the full line-up will be revealed in April.

linzi.watson@eveningtimes.co.uk