Lulu to play opening day of Greenock's Tall Ships Races

Image caption, Lulu will headline the opening day's entertainment at the festival

Scottish singer Lulu has been announced as one of the headline acts at the Tall Ship Races in Greenock, Inverclyde.

The 62-year-old Glaswegian will headline the opening day of the festival, which runs from 9 to 12 July.

Scots rockers Deacon Blue will perform on 11 July. A fireworks display will also be held that day.

About 800,000 visitors are expected to attend the event at James Watt Dock. Greenock hosts the second stage of the race following Waterford in Ireland.

Councillor David Wilson, chairman of organisers, Sail Inverclyde, said: "Bringing Lulu to Greenock as part of The Tall Ships Races further cements our position as one of the top events in the west of Scotland this year.

"She truly is the first lady of Scottish music and I'm sure she will go down very well with the crowds.

"With 60 ships expected to dock for the Greenock leg of the race, there will be no shortage of things to see and as the quayside will be alive with music stages, street theatre and circus workshops, there will also be plenty to do too."