WORK begins this week to upgrade George Square in advance of the Commonwealth Games.

Recently, hoardings went up around the historic area and will remain in place until September.

Over the coming weeks, the unpopular red Tarmac will be dug up and replaced with a more muted grey surface, the statues will be cleaned and two new grassy areas introduced.

Council bosses say the square will be back in full use by Remembrance Sunday in November, when there is a service at the Cenotaph.

They insist the project will have the area looking its best when the city is in the world spotlight next year.

A council spokesman said: "Phase one of the works will see noticeable improvements through a new surface, feature lighting and new grass beds at a cost of £500,000.

"The scheduled completion date of September will allow for suitable commemoration of Remembrance Day and enable the Christmas events to return to the square this year."

Last year the council leader Gordon Matheson launched an international design competition for a £15million transformation of the area, which was won by Glasgow born architect John McAslan. But within minutes of the announcement, Mr Matheson said it would not be going ahead.

He insisted the major revamp of the area did not have the backing of the public and would be scrapped.

It is still planned to carry out a major £15m upgrade of the area but not in advance of the Commonwealth Games starting next summer.

Council bosses said the work would not be finished in time for the sporting event, leaving one of the key areas of the city looking like a building site.

As a result, it was decided to give the square a relatively minor facelift in time for 2014. In the autumn, a report will go before councillors suggesting the permanent improvements which should be made to the square.

One of the suggestions is that the £15m scheme should include digging up the new grey surface and replacing it with something more stylish.

It is also likely that underground services providing power will be upgraded meaning there will no longer be a need to bring in generators to drive equipment during events.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk