THE founders of Scotland's best-loved children's entertainers the Singing Kettle have begun an emotional final run of shows.

Husband and wife duo Artie Trezise and Cilla Fisher will retire at the end of this Christmas tour which features eight shows at Renfrew's Braehead Arena, ending on Sunday.

The show Fairytale Christmas will mark the end of 30 years of the pair fronting the group.

More than 12,000 people are expected to attend their traditional Christmas run.

Cilla said: "We've had a hectic few weeks since the tour began and Braehead marks the half-way point of the tour.

"We've had a fantastic response to the show as well as some wonderful messages from the audiences as Artie and I have one last emotional singalong. It's been fantastic."

After their retirement, Artie and Cilla will take backstage creative roles with the Singing Kettle.

The pair's final show will be on February 17 next year at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre.

The Singing Kettle began as a small show for children, touring playgroups and schools but it is now one of the biggest box office draws in the UK.

They have performed in hundreds of venues, from the Palladium in London to the Town Hall in Campbeltown, from the Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock to the Royal Palace in Jordan. And they have been honoured MBEs for services to children's entertainment.

Get tickets at Ticketmaster Online, call 0844 499 1700 or from the venue. For more visit www.singingkettle.com