GLASGOW Airport, Renfrew Victory Baths and the Paisley Ambulance Station will all throw their doors open as part of an annual event.

Renfrewshire's Doors Open Day will take place over the weekend of ­September 14-15.

This year it will offer ­access to 60 venues, giving a behind-the-scenes peek into the history and operations of some of the most celebrated buildings and landmarks in the area.

Doors Open Day, hosted by the Scottish Civic Trust, was launched yesterday in the cloister gardens of Paisley Abbey.

PACE, a youth theatre and performing arts group, introduced Renfrewshire's new Diabolical Diaries children's programme, designed specifically for the youngest festival participants and aimed at guiding them through some of the area's more gruesome buildings and stories.

Adding to the drama, representatives from Spark of Genius, who are education and care providers, ­appeared on horseback as members of the Knights Templar.

Renfrewshire's Provost Anne Hall said: "There's something for everyone, whatever their age or interest, in this year's Renfrewshire Doors Open Day programme.

"One of the main ideas behind the Doors Open Day programme is to show ­people the continuing relevance of an area's past.

"Nowhere is that more true than in Renfrewshire.

"We are proud of our heritage and Doors Open Day gives people the chances to visit free of charge iconic buildings and sites in towns and communities across Renfrewshire."

Visitors to the buildings over the weekend will be able to peek at private ­areas of buildings such as Sma' Shot Cottages, Renfrewshire House and St Mirren Football Club.

They'll also be welcomed to buildings that have ­never opened their doors this way before including Erskine Community Sport Centre, Victory Baths, White Cart Studio, Langs Tannery, Grand Fountain, Lagoon Leisure Centre and the On-X centre in Linwood.

The programme is available from participating buildings, libraries, arts centres and museums and at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events.

ewan.fergus@eveningtimes.co.uk