FUN for people of all ages is on offer this week as The Spree festival pulls in the crowds.

The event was launched last Friday and continues until Tuesday, October 24, attracting audiences from across Renfrewshire and beyond.

More than 60 shows are being staged at a number of venues in Paisley, including a spectacular Spiegeltent that has been erected in County Square.

The festival aims to highlight Paisley’s credentials as an arts and entertainment hub as the town waits to discover if it has been successful in its bid to become UK City of Culture in 2021, with the decision to be announced in December.

Jean Cameron, Paisley 2021 bid director, said: “The Spree is firmly established as a key date in Scotland’s festival calendar and we are welcoming people from across the country for this year’s bill, which is the biggest and best yet, with a range of artforms and some incredible performers taking part.

“Our UK City of Culture 2021 bid aims to use Paisley’s place as the one-time centre of a global industry to reconnect us to the world and this is a great way to show what that will look like.”

In addition to a jam-packed programme of music, there is a selection of activities for kids and families to enjoy.

Budding artists have flexed their creative muscles by drawing on digital graffiti boards and decorating their own badges and keyrings to take home, with the help of local designers from Paisley Pins.

Future code-crackers were also given the chance to learn at Computer Xplorers workshops, where they tried out their skills on Star Wars and Minecraft-themed programmes.

The festival is organised by Renfrewshire Council and a full programme is available online at www.thespree.co.uk.

To book tickets, call the box office on 0300 300 1210.