ALL the fun of the seaside is coming to Glasgow after a major lottery fund boost.

The city is getting its own beach for a week after community activists in the East End scooped £9500 from a multi-million pound jackpot to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.

The cash bonanza is coming from four lotto distribution organisations - Big Lottery Fund, Creative Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund and sport- scotland.

And the cash is being used to provide 30 tonnes of sand for a temporary beach at a small park in Elcho Gardens, Calton, which will include deck chairs and an ice cream van which won't charge a penny for pokey hats.

The idea came from community leaders and Rosie Robertson, manager of the Calton Heritage and Learning Centre. She said: "We thought we needed to do something different for the community and a beach-themed event, which was professionally staged, seemed the ideal choice.

"We want people to have fun and celebrate the Games and instead of everyone heading for the beach, we thought it better to bring the beach to them. Kids in particular will love it."

Community champion Betty Cosgrove says it's also ideal for young single mums who can't afford a trip to the seaside and we are hoping the combination of sand, sun and free ice cream will go down a treat with local pensioners too.

She said: "I'm hoping we can attract as many of the elderly folk as possible. We're looking for big hearted volunteer drivers for them, so it would be great if anyone who can help gets in touch with Rosie at the centre on 0141 550 9573."

The Calton beach will be open on Monday, July 21 - two days before the Games' opening ceremony.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk