Stef Lach

The Albion Street centre was opened by Glasgow 2014 chairman Lord Smith with the help of Clyde, the thistle-themed mascot for the Games, as reported in later editions of last night's Evening Times.

Official online applications open in mid-January but people can visit the centre to find out more about volunteering or register their interest on the Glasgow 2014 website.

Organisers hope 50,000 people will contact them before the end of the year.

The new annual registration fee was first mooted by Glasgow Taxis Ltd (GTL) in September and came into effect this week.

The 700-strong society, which is run by its members, said it needed the cash to help with running costs.

But some drivers, members of the Unite Scotland union, say it is a step too far. More than 500 have signed a petition against the fee.

The union members have slammed GTL for "ignoring" the petition.