SHETTLESTON is a vibrant and bustling area, with a strong community spirit.

It has a mixture of residential and industrial spaces, along with Tollcross Park which is used by hundreds of locals every week.

The south extremity of the ward is bounded by the River Clyde, while the north boundary is marked by a main railway line running through Shettleston and Carntyne stations, towards the city centre. It is flanked by Parkhead to the west,. and Baillieston to the East.

The current leader of Glasgow City Council, Frank McAveety, represents the area, having won his seat in 2012 by securing almost 30 per cent of the vote.

He previously represented Shettleston in the Scottish Parliament as an MSP.

In the previous council elections, the overall turnout for the area was around 33 per cent.

In 2002, Shettleston was badly affected by flooding, and continues to fall foul of heavy downpours every few years.

This is one of the main issues which local people would like to see addressed, according to Pat McDonagh, who is the chairman of the Sandyhills community council.

He said:” There are quite a few problems with this as they are trying to open up the burn and re-route it through Sandyhills park.

People living close to the park are worried that this won’t stop the flooding. They also worry it will cause their house prices to fall.

“People do worry about jobs. Sandhyhills itself is a good area, it’s pretty quiet.

“There is a lot of transformation happening in Shettleston - a lot of new builds.

“Shettleston is trying to change and bring it up to standard. There was a lot needed done and that was a real problem. There’s not a lot of jobs out there for young people too.

He added there are activities for young people and older residents, however more youth clubs would be welcome to keep youngsters off the streets.

He explained: “We have had some problems with antisocial behaviour, people drinking and things.

“There is a five a side football club over near the high flats and the Fuse cafe is a success. There’s a lot of young people who go in there to use the computers and adults come in to use them and learn IT skills.

“There are a lot of positive things happening but having more activities for the young ones would be a help.”

The Labour party will stand two candidates in the elections, while three SNP candidates will be hoping to secure a seat to represent the area.

Previously Shettleston has voted for predominantly Labour candidates - three of the party’s representatives won in 2007, and again in 2012. The SNP has only had one councillor in the area for the last decade.

However this year with Labour deciding only to stand two candidates, the political representation in the ward is due to change.

The Green party, LibDems, Conservatives and UKIP will all stand one candidate, along with a number of other smaller parties.

ALEX McLaren, 58, works for Police Scotland and has been a resident in the area for 12 years.

He said: “Everything’s handy here.

“There’s a big park to play in for the kids and it is quite a quiet place.

“There’s a lot of pubs and fast food places but they just opened a new restaurant round the corner which is quite nice and everyone knows everyone.

“Not much needs done. I will be voting in the elections, I never miss it.”

HELEN Gardener,48, was brought up in Baillieston and said she would like to see more shops.

She said: “There’s no decent shops to buy clothing or shoes or bags or even my sister has trouble finding a pair of tights for her wee girl for school.

“ The parking is a problem since they put parking meters.

I think there is probably a few empty buildings the council could give to retailers for some decent shops, there’s far too many pubs and bookmakers, takeaways so it’s quite an unhealthy place really.”

MARION Craig, 60, is a retired waitress.

She said snhe will vote in the lectiosn but she doesn;t think much will change.

She said: “There is crime but there’s not an awful lot of it.

“There’s not much facilities for the kids, there’s no swimming or anything like that and there are too many fast food shops.

“We need a clothes shop and a shoes shop so if you want you’ve got to travel.

“There’s not an awful lot of parking on Main Street, it’s terrible. It’s expensive.

DAVID Wallace,74, is retired and said he plans to vote in May’s elections.

He said: “There’s plenty for the kids to do they’ve got a playpark and other facilities.

There are more food shops here than anything - all take away, carry out places, pubs, Indian food, Chinese, and chip shops and things. Hardly any offices.

“ The roads I think are too narrow, but I don’t really think the council need to do much here. I’m not that bothered about what they do. there are no huge problems.”

ROBERT Little, 46, works for the NHS and said he plans to vote in the election.

He said he would like more for the area such as amenities and facilities for young people.

He said:” There’s a couple of swing parks but that’s it, a gym would be good.

A gym would go down well as the closest one is Easterhouse.

“I have to go all the way into the city centre to train. I would train here if I could get a gym. There’s too many pubs and bookies.”

JOHN Brown,66, is retired but says he does not like living in Baillieston.

He said: “Down where I stay its bedlam and I’m never off the phone to the police. It’s the young ones playing loud music on their boom boxes. And the police aren’t doing anything about it.

“There needs to be CCTV. They had CCTV down there before I moved in but they took it away. I would like to see it put back in.

“The streets are manky and I never see anyone cleaning.