PREPARATION for a Glasgow music festival is set to block access to essential city hotspots.

Radio 1's Big Weekend will descend on the city in May but restrictions will see both Glasgow Green and George Square barricaded ahead of the musical spectacular.

For more than a week prior to the ticket-only event, access to city centre sites will be affected to allow tents, stages and bars to be set up.

The 50,000 capacity event is expected to take around eight days to prepare.

There will be no access to George Square from 12.30 am on Monday May 19 until 8am on Monday May 26, while Glasgow Green will be blocked off from 8am on Friday May 16 until 6pm on Friday May 30.

The Clyde walkway will remain open except on concert days. 14,000 music fans will flock to the city centre for the first of the weekend's events, starting with BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend Live from George Square on Friday May 23.

The bank holiday festival will continue at Glasgow Green, where thousands will be treated to more than 30 performances by stars including Pharrell, The 1975 and Paolo Nutini.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "Radio 1's Big Weekend requires a lot of planning and manpower. This involves setting up the event's infrastructure including tents and bars, as well as a number of stages ahead of the event in order to accommodate performances across the weekend.

"The BBC is working closely with Glasgow City Council to minimise disruption to local residents and has held regular liaison meetings with residents to gain an understanding of the issues hosting an event in this location will cause."