TWO Glasgow MSPs have signed up to be volunteers at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

John Mason and Patricia Ferguson want to join the army of 15,000 helpers needed to make the Games a success.

Mr Mason, the SNP MSP for Shettleston, where venues including the new arena and velodrome and athletes' village are located, said he registered this week.

Ms Ferguson, Labour MSP for Maryhill and Springburn, said she would be signing up after experiencing a previous Commonwealth Games in Australia.

The pair revealed their intentions at a Holyrood debate in which the Games preparations were praised.

Mr Mason said: "It is particularly encouraging to hear that the facilities being built are on time and on budget.

"Physical infrastructure and sporting infrastructure will be the main legacy, but we want more than that. We have the opportunity through the Games to increase physical activity."

Ms Ferguson suggested having a cross-party group of volunteers from the Parliament.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson endorsed this idea, while stopping short of pledging to volunteer herself.

Sports Minister Shona Robison said the Commonwealth Games committee had made a third visit to Glasgow and had hailed the city's preparations as the best it had seen for 20 years.