HUNDREDS of protesters have demanded a halt to plans to "desecrate" a Glasgow country park.

HUNDREDS of protesters have demanded a halt to plans to "desecrate" a Glasgow country park.

At a heated public meeting attended by more than 500 people, including SNP MSP Nicola Sturgeon, residents urged the council to stop the application for the Go Ape adventure playground.

Ms Sturgeon, Deputy Leader of the Scottish Parliament, called Glasgow City Council's consultation over plans for a controversial aerial assault course in Pollok Park "woefully inadequate."

If the high wire forest adventure site planned for the park's North Wood gets the go ahead 29 trees close to the Burrell Collection will be used to form a course including rope bridges and zip wires.

All except a handful at last nights meeting in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall were strongly against the venture.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Can I appeal to both the council and Go Ape to note the strength of public opinion here tonight?

"I would ask the council if, in light of the opinions being expressed here tonight, you will decide to call a halt to the process, not to send this to planning at this stage but instead allow a proper meaningful consultation in which everybody has the opportunity to have their say."

But councillors and council officials dismissed her plea, saying people have had their chance.

The audience - who filled the halls 374 seats and spilled into aisles, corridors and even the car park - regularly heckled speakers during the two hour meeting and shouted "get off" to councillors.

One prominent opponent of the assault course at the meeting was sports broadcaster Chick Young.

Locals fear the peace and tranquillity in their beloved park - last year voted Britain's best - will be lost if the Go Ape proposal goes ahead.

They are also worried they will be barred from accessing parts of the park and are concerned about anti-social behaviour, parking problems and lack of toilet facilities.

Bob Marshall, from protest group from Save Pollok Park, said 950 people had voted against the plan on its website.

He said Glasgow City council has also received 400 letters of objection and 199 in favour - though the group claims 115 of those are from school kids who filled out a questionnaire.

He said: "We have never ever said that Go Ape is not a good idea. What we are saying is that it isn't a good idea for Pollok Park.."

Robert Booth, Glasgow City Council's Executive Director of Land and Environment, said it had invited 350 people and groups with an interest in the park to a previous meeting and had notices on its website and park notice boards over the plan.

He said: "There is no physical imposition in this park and that's why we are of the opinion that it's a fantastic project ideally suited to Pollok Park and I hope that the planning department approve it."

The decision will go before planners in a few weeks.

Go Ape has 12 courses around the UK including one in Stirlingshire.

It would cost £25 for adults and £20 for children for a three-hour visit but the owners say many tickets would be given away and there would be a discount for groups.

Tristram Mayhew from Go Ape told the crowd: "We only use the tree tops so where you walk today you would be able to walk tomorrow.

"There are 29 trees that would have a platform on and ten would have supporting cables.

"I'm told there are 100,000 trees in Pollok Park.

"It's in an area that would have a ground print of about three acres. Pollok Park is 360 acres and it is less than 1% of that."