THOUSANDS of revellers celebrated the West End Festival as the Mardi Gras returned to Byres Road for the first time in five years.

Every available inch of the street was packed with people desperate to join in the fun.

And they were not disappointed as bands, samba dancers and children in traditional Asian dress entertained the crowds.

A wide range of organisations were represented in the parade, which started at the Botanic Gardens and slowly partied its way down Byres Road to Kelvingrove Park.

Chinese dragons, belly dancers, spaceships and even Clyde the Commonwealth Games mascot were on hand to ensure the afternoon went with a swing.

Bars with outside space were packed early with friends and families enjoying a tipple as the colourful parade passed by.

Restaurants, food and ice-cream vans did a roaring trade as the crowd enjoyed an afternoon of brilliant sunshine.

This is the first time in five years the Mardi Gras has paraded down Byres Road.

Lack of cash meant in was held in Kelvingrove Park between 2009 and 2011 and last year it was scrapped altogether.

But this year, a £15,000 donation by Oli Norman, founder of Glasgow-based online deals service itison.com, meant it could return to its spiritual homet.

Festival organiser Michael Dale hailed the event a great success for Glasgow.

He estimated more than 60,000 people had come to watch the parade.

And Mr Dale hinted it may be bigger and better next year as the city gears up for the Commonwealth Games.

But he admitted it is proving problematic packing so many people into Byres Road.

Mr Dale said: "It is a challenge we have to face because people desperately want to see this kind of thing.

"Having the parade on Byres Road is spectacular but Kelvingrove Park has more space and people have room to sit down.

"My aim is to have the parade on Byres Road one day and in Kelvingrove another day so everyone gets a chance to see it.

"This is the biggest event in Glasgow's calendar and we have to try and manage it in such a way it is more comfortable, with more viewing areas.

"I would love to build viewing platforms where disabled people can watch it and a platform where small children can watch, but that takes money.

"Next year, we might do a children's parade or night-time parade."

vivienne,nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk