AS someone who has lived in Broomhill, Hyndland, Partick, Partickhill and now Finnieston, I love Glasgow's West End and know it has a personality all of its own.

That is why I am delighted that the West End Festival's Mardi Gras parade returns to the streets of the city this month.

About 80,000 people come to the West End to experience the parade, and enjoy one of the most colourful days out the city has to offer.

However, the increasing costs of closing Byres Road – and of the clean-up operation – had caused the parade to be cancelled.

Now, thanks to the organisers' fundraising and the generosity of local people, Festival Sunday on June 9 will see the Mardi Gras parade in Byres Road for the first time since 2008.

The road will be closed, so the parade is a great chance for people to enjoy themselves in streets where they walk to work or school every day.

Much of the money to allow the parade was raised by local people via crowd funding, showing just how much affection the community has for the Byres Road parade.

Not only is the parade fun, it is also a vital boost for local businesses and communities, and a chance for us all to regain some of that community spirit Glasgow is famous for.

Of course, the West End Festival lasts a full month and encompasses far more than just the Mardi Gras parade.

The programme includes more than 400 events in about 80 venues, including events ranging from music and theatre, to walks, talks and community galas.

The festival opens on June 1 with a torchlit procession from the Riverside Museum to the Kelvingrove Museum.

This is a family event that passes a number of historic Glasgow sites, such as the university, and sets the tone for the festival as a whole.

The West End Festival has gained a reputation for family friendly cultural fun since its inauguration in 1996 and organisers are keen to ensure this is the feel of the month of events.

The festival is a barometer of the cultural health of Glasgow, with more than 100 city-based organisations and arts groups and a programme of local and international artists.

It will include events, exhibitions, performances, talks, tours, workshops and screenings, many of which will be free for spectators.

The festival coincides with the Glasgow Mela, which is in Kelvingrove Park on June 15 and 16.

It also includes the Cottier Chamber Project, Gibson Street Gala, and Bard In The Botanics, ensuring there is something for everyone.

The Mardi Gras parade is a colourful, noisy celebration of life in Glasgow and I am very happy to be able to welcome its return to Byres Road.

I hope you will join me and tens of thousands of others at it, or one of the many other events happening in June to celebrate life in Glasgow with music, good food and great company.

If we are lucky the Glasgow weather may even be kind to us.