AN event which saw Glasgow's Botanic Gardens transformed with light and sound will return next year - after attracting 15,000 visitors.

 

The Electric Gardens closed yesterday after a 22 day run.

Local residents and people from as far afield as America and Australia took part in the live show.

Bookings were also made from 114 different postcodes across Scotland and England and many travelled to the city from Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Stirling to see the show.

Visitors enjoyed in a self-guided walk through the visitor attraction which was specially staged with light and sound and live actors performing with fire and instruments.

The Electric Gardens, which was held for the first time this year, was produced by the West End Festival.

Organisers say bars and restaurants in the west end benefited from the surge in visitors during a typically be a quiet time of year.

They hope this will spur increased support and sponsorship from the surrounding area for next year's event to ensure it is bigger and better,

Michael Dale, festival director, said: "It's fantastic to be able to say we are going to be able to bring The Electric Gardens back to the west end next winter.

"The area has so much to offer especially in terms of restaurants, bars and local shops, it's been encouraging to be able to draw more people into the area.

"We're already thinking of the new things we can try next year to make it even bigger and better, feedback from visitors this year is essential to this process."

Visitors shared their views on the event with organisers online. One said: "Had a really good night. Our three-year-old thought it was magical."

Another visitor added: "Just home after a lovely walk in the park, great to see so many families enjoying a beautiful night in the Botanics. Loved it."

One visitor said: "We took plenty of cool pictures and in general it was a sensory experience I thoroughly enjoyed. Families of all ages around us were having a great time too, it was magical."

Mr Dale added that his focus is now on the annual West End Festival which celebrates his 20th anniversary this year.

It will be held between June 5 and 28.

He said: "The deadline for submissions to the line-up is March 16 and I'd encourage potential applicants to send theirs in as early as possible - all details are available on the website."