Scotland is to play host to a street dance event which attracts competitors from all over the world.
For the next three years the United Dance Organisation (UDO) World Street Dance Championships will be held in Glasgow at the Clyde Auditorium and SECC.
Individual dancers and dance crews from about 30 countries including China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand will compete at the eighth annual event this year, held over three days on August 23-25.
"The Worlds" are expected to attract around 6,000 people to the city and between now and 2015, the event is expected to pull in £7 million for the economy.
It is the first time the championships are being held outside Blackpool's Winter Gardens.
To make the announcement, Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson was joined by Perri Kiely and Jordan Banjo from dance group Diversity and UDO representatives.
"Today's announcement is fantastic news for Glasgow and marks the first step in positioning the city as the global home of street dance over the next three years," Mr Matheson said.
"The United Dance Organisation's decision to bring their flagship event to Glasgow is a huge vote of confidence in the city and one which reflects the standout success and continuing growth of our tourism sector as well as our cutting-edge style credentials and our reputation for winning and delivering major events."
Competitors range in age from five to 30, and the winners of this year's advanced team category (aged 18+) get the opportunity to perform live at the Mobo Awards at Glasgow's new Hydro venue in autumn.
Simon Dibley, chief executive of the United Dance Organisation, said: "Glasgow's excellent presentation coupled with the genuine warmth and distinctly stylish vibe of the city really appealed to us. Street dance is a genre that has grown in popularity in recent years and one which is truly inclusive, attracting people from all ages, cultures and economic backgrounds."
