Organisers of Scotland’s largest LGBTI festival have admitted their relief after securing a licence for the event.

Pride Glasgow is expected to attract thousands to Kelvingrove Park on July 14 and 15.

And the event, which is being moved from Glasgow Green to accommodate the European Championships, will see a string of top acts including Mel C, Ian Van Dahl and George Bowie.

Licensing chiefs gave their backing to festival director Ross Stevenson after he outlined his vision for Pride.

Mr Stevenson said: “It’s certainly a bit of relief. I didn’t expect it to be granted so early on in the planning process and shows that Glasgow City Council licensing has the confidence in us to once again deliver a safe, secure and professional event and that we have built that confidence by having a proven track record in delivering the festival.

“This is just the start. We still need to go through the multi-agency process and continue our consultation with the local community council and elected members, but I don’t suspect that either of these will produce any major issues for us.

“Feedback from the festival in recent years has been extremely good. People enjoy the event and look forward to attending each year.”

X-Factor runner-up Grace Davies will be performing at Pride, with The Sundaes, who were finalists in BBC One’s All Together Now, and Eurodance legend Lasgo.

There will be a dog show, a rainbow colour blast zone, a family area, a youth space and a community expo.

A new feature will also launch at the bandstand, with a food outlet, bar and a new community stage showcasing young artists and Glasgow-based LGBTI performers.

Mr Stevenson added: “This year is already proving popular.

“Ticket sales are higher at this point compared to previous years and we are on track to deliver a Pride Festival that Scotland can be proud of and an event that we can showcase to other Pride organisers across the UK when they meet in Glasgow in October for the UK Pride Organisers Conference.”

Mr Stevenson said that the 2016 Pride event was worth more than £4m to the city’s economy.

Last year more than 18,000 people took to Glasgow Green for the event, which first launched in 1996.

Organisers have had to change venue this year as Glasgow Green plays host to some of the world’s best sporting stars during the European Championships.

Licensing committee member Graham Campbell, said: “I will miss Pride from Glasgow Green because, in terms of my experience of its guests, they are the least rowdy.”

More than 5,000 people are expected to take part in the annual Pride march through the city centre, with a further 50,000 set to watch on.

The two-day festival kicks-off at 12pm on Saturday, July 14.