SHE is the coolest teacher in Glasgow, thanks to her colourful collection of LEGO earrings.

But for Ally Wells, LEGO building is about much more than play, as it helps her cope with crippling anxiety and panic attacks.

“It’s my distraction therapy,” explains the 34-year-old supply teacher from Cumbernauld.

“When I feel really bad, on those days when it seems like I can’t even leave the house, LEGO helps me cope.”

Ally discovered the unexpected benefits of LEGO-building thanks to her husband Graeme’s hobby.

He is the organiser of LEGO not-for-profit fan shows such as Braw Bricks in his home town, and EdinBricks, which took the capital by storm last year.

Now, it’s coming to Glasgow. Around 800 people are expected to attend Glesga Bricks on Saturday, November 11, with proceeds going to the charity Fairy Bricks, which donates LEGO sets to children in hospital. Recently it donated £2400 worth of new LEGO sets to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

Interest in LEGO shows no sign of waning, despite competition from online games and electronic toys. It regularly features on Christmas ‘top toys’ list, and Lego Masters, the recent Channel 4 series which turned the spotlight on LEGO masterbuilders of all ages, was a hit.

Meanwhile, Scottish fan clubs such as Scottish AFOLS and the Scottish Tartan LUG (Lego Users Group) are gaining momentum.

Graeme, 36, who is a manager at The Golf Lounge in the city centre, explains: “After the small show in Cumbernauld, I persuaded a mate to help me run one in Edinburgh and it went a bit crazy.

“We sold 130 tickets in advance, but 1300 people turned up on the day! It was really amazing, so I wanted to do it again in Glasgow.”

Graeme has loved LEGO since he was a child and now happily admits to being an AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO).

“Our house isn’t completely taken over by LEGO, it’s not as bad as some,” he says. “It’s in the bedrooms, the living room, the kids’ rooms, but it’s not everywhere.

“I build what comes into my head. Last week it was a giant caramel wafer mosaic.

“This week it might be a metre-and-a-half high rocket. It depends on what time I have!

“I just always had LEGO growing up, and then drifted away from it during the ‘Dark Ages’, and got back into it when my own children came along.”

Graeme and Ally have two sons, Xander, who is seven, and five-year-old Logan, and unsurprisingly, the boys are LEGO-daft.

“They get quite excited when we are preparing for a show – they love helping out,” smiles Graeme.

For Ally, the social side of the Scottish LEGO community has also been a great help to her.

“At the worst times, I just can’t go out of the house,” she says. “I don’t socialise well with new people. But getting to know people through the LEGO community and Graeme, has really helped.

“Being part of it takes me out of that anxiety bubble.”

Ally is a member of a support group run by Invisible Illness and Me.

“I was diagnosed fairly recently but realised I have suffered from anxiety for a very long time – I’d just been successfully managing it and hiding it from myself and everyone else,” she says.

“But it got to the point when I couldn’t do it any more and I had to get help.

“The support group is fantastic – it helps people who suffer from things you wouldn’t necessarily know just from meeting them, but which are with us, part of us, always.

“It’s been great for me because when you have anxiety it’s easy to feel alone and scared, or that it’s all your fault.

“The support group helps me realise I’m not alone.”

She adds: “I know through the group of people who have been told by their counsellors to give LEGO building a try as a form of therapy. It does work. It distracts my brain from the anxiety.”

Ally has won legions of young fans with her LEGO mini figure earrings.

“I have quite a collection now,” she smiles. “I turn the keyrings into jewellery, and the pupils at the schools I teach in love it.

“I often take requests for which ones to wear as they all have their favourites.”

Glesga Bricks, which will feature builders from all over Scotland, rare LEGO models, building tables and more, takes place on November 11 at the Renfield Centre.

There are six entry timeslots during the day with limited tickets available per slot. Advance online tickets costing £3 are on sale now at glesgabricks.yapsody.com.

Under 3s are free with a paying adult. Any remaining tickets will be available on the day and will cost £4.