World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow gets extra day Published duration 17 April 2013

image caption More than 200 pipe bands are expected at The Worlds in Glasgow in August

The World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow this year have been extended to run over two days for the first time.

Hundreds of bands from the UK and abroad are expected at the event, known as "The Worlds", on 17 and 18 August.

The competition coincides with the last days of the 10th Glasgow International Piping Festival - Piping Live!

St Enoch Square will act as the hub for the music event from 11-18 August. Among the performers is Julie Fowlis, whose music featured in the film Brave.

Major attraction

The World Pipe Band Championships, won in 2011 and 2012 by the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band from Lisburn, near Belfast, have been associated with Glasgow for more than 60 years.

In recent times it has been marketed as a major attraction for the city and features Highland Dancing, Highland Games, fairground rides and a family fun zone.

Traditionally the event has been staged in Glasgow Green on one Saturday during August.

image caption The Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band won the 2011 and 2012 events

Ian Embelton, of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, explained the decision to extend this year's championships.

"With over 200 bands coming from 11 countries to compete, we have listened to feedback from spectators and fans and we are delighted to extend The Worlds to two days," he said.

"Families and music fans will have more time to see the bands compete alongside the other activities on offer.

"There will be a range of ticket packages available making it easy for people to make it a very special weekend."

Tickets for The Worlds and Piping Live! will be available from 1 May.

Piping Live! festival director Roddy MacLeod said the 10th anniversary of the event would "have a few surprises".

"Over the last 10 years we have brought the best pipers and traditional musicians from all over the globe to perform at the festival," he said.

Economic boost

"It has been brilliant to see the interest in piping grow and to expose so many people to the diversity of the pipes - we've seen everything from the best solo pipers in the world perform to bands that mix the pipes with electronic music and it just gets more exciting each year.

"We also have a few surprises up our sleeves so come join celebrate our birthday with us this August."

Both The Worlds and Piping Live! have become landmarks on Glasgow's cultural calendar.

City council leader Gordon Matheson said both events would draw thousands of visitors from across the UK and overseas and provide "a significant boost to the local economy".

He said: "Both events are celebrating major milestones this year, with Piping Live! marking its 10th birthday and the Worlds expanding across two days.