GLASGOW'S 2014 Commonwealth Games will need 15,000 volunteer helpers if things are to run smoothly – and competition for the roles is expected to be fierce.

With around 15,000 hours to go until the start of the Games, organisers are stepping up their search for the 15,000 volunteers who will be so important to the success of the huge event.

As revealed in the Evening Times last week, up to 45,000 people will be interviewed for the volunteer vacancies at the Games. And with research revealing that around a quarter of Scots have expressed an interest in volunteering for Glasgow 2014, organisers will have a lot of applications to sift through.

The survey of 903 people across Scotland was conducted by Axiom on behalf of the Games organisers, and showed that one in six (17%) describe themselves as "fairly interested" and 7% "very interested" in volunteering.

Even the lower proportion would equate to 180,000 people, the organising committee said.

With up to 15,000 volunteer roles on offer at Glasgow 2014, demand could exceed supply.

Valerie Mitchell, from the organising committee, said: "We are very encouraged by this survey as it shows there is an appetite among people in Scotland to go out and volunteer. But while this is positive news, there is no complacency on our part that we will get the numbers we require.

"We would urge people to visit the website and register their interest now and hope that they begin to think about how they could be involved as a volunteer at Glasgow 2014 and to help make a success of the biggest sporting and cultural event ever to come to Scotland."

In Glasgow, 11% of adults reported themselves to be "very interested" in volunteering to work at the games.

This week people will have a chance to get involved and become one of the event's thousands of Games Makers.

To take part, hopefuls must register their interest from today, but it will be mid January before they can apply for a specific role at the event.

Organisers believe people will travel from overseas to be part of Glasgow 2014 – with interest reported from as far afield as Australia.

An army of 300 staff is currently being trained to interview the volunteers.

For more information about volunteering, visit http://www. glasgow2014.com/join/volunteering

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk