HUNDREDS of residents in Dalmarnock are getting free tickets for the Games.

Glasgow businessman Alastair Wylie, who runs Cambuslang construction company CCG - which helped build the Athletes' Village - will hand out 200 tickets to events including the opening ceremony.

He said: "We are proud of our Glasgow heritage and to have been involved in building the Athlete's Village as a member of the City Legacy consortium.

"The Athlete's Village will leave a lasting legacy to Glasgow post-Games and by sponsoring 200 Common-wealth Games spectator tickets we wanted to play our part in ensuring the local East End community has the opportunity to enjoy this major sporting event on their doorstep."

The tickets will be distributed by Calton Councillor George Redmond through the local residents' group.

The Evening Times revealed recently that Glasgow City Council has set aside 5000 free tickets for householders affected by increased security measures.

However, Councillor Redmond hinted that some streets may have been missed out. He met with Mr Wylie recently and they announced a further 200 free tickets outside the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome yesterday.

Mr Redmond said: "The 200 tickets are welcome. It means everybody in Dalmarnock will get the Commonwealth Games experience."

The Calton councillor has also been campaigning for a residents' party in the Athletes' Village after the Games. Mr Redmond said: "We've got the marquee, which will easily take 500-plus people. The event will go ahead but there are still battles to come."

LOCAL band The Tenemants will play and a tea dance will also be held, said Councillor Redmond.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow 2014 said: "We appreciate the continued patience of local people who have been affected by preparations for the Games and we are continuing to work with Glasgow City Council to support a celebration event for residents after the Games."

Meanwhile sports clubs are celebrating after scooping free tickets to the Commonwealth Games.

A total of five community organisations in and around Glasgow will be offered 20 tickets each after being named winners in a giveaway by transport giant ScotRail.

The groups are among 20 from across Scotland to come top in the firm's Do Your Personal Best competition.

Organisers asked people to nominate groups that go the extra mile to boost the health and wellbeing of its members and community.

The judging panel included Team Scotland athletes, Eilish McColgan, Laura Muir and Libby Clegg. The winning groups will now watch boxing, gymnastics, judo, rugby and athletics events, including the finals.

City of Glasgow Gymn-astics Club - based at Bellahouston sports centre -was one of the successful groups, along with St Cadocs Youth Club Netball squad, which has more than doubled in size during the last year to more than 130 players.

HAYFIELD Boxing Club in Gorbals, which has two members, Joe Ham and Stephen Lavelle, competing at the Games, will also benefit.

Mount Vernon-based East End Tae Kwon Do was named a winner, along with Carolside Sports Club in Clarkston, which is run voluntarily by the parents of youngsters who attend

Hayfield committee member Nicola Philbin said: "Many of our young members look up to the athletes who will be competing, particularly their club mates, so it's fantastic that thanks to this competition they will be there to cheer them on."

Laura Muir - a third-year vet student at the University of Glasgow - is ranked number one in the UK over 800m indoors and recently broke the 27-year Scottish record for the 1500m.

She said: "I'm looking forward to competing in front of a passionate home crowd in Glasgow and it'll be even better knowing some of the competition winners will be there too."