FESTIVE fun kicked off in Glasgow today with the opening of the ice rink in George Square.

The open-air rink, one of the biggest in Europe, is the centrepiece of Glasgow Loves Christmas.

To mark the opening, city council leader Gordon Matheson joined some of the dancing divas who will strut their stuff on the ice during themed nights.

He said: "Our events at Glasgow on Ice means there is something for all the family including music, food and drink, and many people's favourite attraction - ice skating on George Square."

The ice rink will be open every day until December 31, except Christmas Day.

This year there is also an Alpine Bar where visitors can enjoy a drink in the warmth as they look out over the ice-rink and an alfresco Christmas bar where they can enjoy festive refreshments with a Scottish twist.

Entertainment includes Throwback Thursdays between December 4 and 18, when skaters can dress to impress and skate to music from the 1960s to 1990s. Each Saturday there will be an Ice Rink Disco, on December 10 there will be a Music for the Movies evening, and Student Magic Mondays will allow students half-price skating

At weekends during the day there will be free entertainment and activities aimed at the younger generation.