A Salvation Army hall in Glasgow where BBC inquisitor Jeremy Paxman learned his ancestors had lived in abject poverty has its 100th anniversary this weekend.

The tough Newsnight presenter was famously moved to tears when told his great-granny Mabel McKay brought up 11 children in a slum in Ardenlea Street, Dalmarnock, in the early 1900s.

As the centenary celebrations at the Salvation Army on Tollcross Road in Parkhead kicked off, leader Captain Mike Warner revealed he had invited Mr Paxman back for a visit.

Mr Warner, 58, said: "Jeremy comes across as a hard man on television but he was like a big softy in real life - mind you, I don't think I would tell him that to his face.

"I'm hopeful we can get Jeremy back to the church in future, although it won't happen for this anniversary."

Mr Paxman visited the hall for the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? documentary in 2005.

And although he won't make this weekend's celebrations, guests from all over the UK will be there to mark the anniversary.

This weekend's celebrations will kick off with a meal tomorrow followed by a music festival at 7pm featuring the West of Scotland Youth Chorus.

On Sunday, services will be led at 10.30am and 6pm by the Salvation Army's UK leaders - Commissioners John and Elizabeth Matear.

Mr Warner said: "I was there when Jeremy was interviewed at our church - it was enthralling and a real eye-opener for everyone who saw it.

"Jeremy had just been informed his ancestor had been destitute.

"We managed to put more meat on the bone with details about his relatives in the East End.

"It was very emotional for him. We gave him a cup of tea and then saw him off in the taxi on his way back to London."

He said 100 members with roots in Parkhead were joining celebrations.

Mr Warner added: "The event is also to look forward, to see how we can continue serving Park-head and the East End of Glasgow."