SCOTTISH Soprano Nicola Cassells has been invited to open one of the biggest para swimming events in the world.

On Monday, the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships will get underway in Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

It will see around 650 swimmers from 70 nations go head to head in a bid to be crowned world champion.

Self taught classical singer Nicola, who is from Ayr, was contacted several weeks ago to perform at the opening ceremony.

She will sing the National Anthem and the Fleetwood Mac song Landslide.

Nicola, 25, was contacted by the opening ceremony organiser who had seen her perform at the Scottish Grand National in Ayr four years ago and on teatime TV programme.

She said: "I am quite excited because it is a big honour to represent the UK. I have never performed the British National Anthem before - is has normally been Flower of Scotland.

SOME of the biggest names in para-swimming will be going head-to-head in Glasgow.

There's less than two weeks to go until the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships with GB's Ellie Simmonds and the USA's Jessica Long.

And swimming fans are being urged to help raise the roof of Tollcross International Swimming Centre as world-class athletes go for gold.

Chairman of Glasgow Life, councillor Archie Graham, said: "Glasgow's Commonwealth Games are rightly regarded as the best ever and there is no doubt that the action and atmosphere at Tollcross International Swimming Centre were at the heart of its success.

"Tollcross has played a significant part in Glasgow's proud sporting history and has recently undergone a £14 million refurbishment, ensuring we continue to attract the world's best swimming events."

The 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships comes to Tollcross less than a year after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and is one of the highlights in Glasgow's Year of Sport. Tollcross was the scene of several historic moments, including Scotland's first gold when Hannah Miley won the 400m individual medley.

More than 650 swimmers from 70 nations are set to arrive at Tollcross. One of the star attractions will undoubtedly be Glasgow boy and fourtime European champion Andrew Mullen, who is hoping to land his first world title at the £14million Tollcross pool.

And as the clock ticks down to the first heat on 13 July, organisers are expecting sports fans and local people to again create an incredible atmosphere when the swimmers take to the water. Mr Graham added: "The 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships is the latest in a long line of such events and will see around 650 swimmers from 70 nations go head to head in a bid to be crowned world champion.

"Tollcross was of course the scene for some of the most memorable moments during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and I am sure the IPC Swimming World Championships will be every bit as special.

"While many of us will be roaring on our home athletes I know the competitors from overseas will be given a very warm welcome by the people of Glasgow."

The 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships is one of the highlights of Glasgow's Year of Sport, which will also see the city host the World Gymnastics Championships at the SSE Hydro in October.

Tickets for the championships are available from paralympic.org/ glasgow-2015.

Competitors will be given a very warm welcome