FOUR teenagers from Irvine and Kilwinning have taken part in the spectacular opening events at the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last week.

Natalie Mackinnon, 16, from Kilwinning lead out the athletes from Nigeria and St Helena at the colourful unveiling ceremony which was shown on TV around the world.

Natalie, a Youth Sports Ambassador for hockey, joined Arran teenager Rory Hunter, 17 spent a week at the athletes’ village with competitors from the two Commonwealth territories.

Meanwhile, Irvine girls Erin McAuley, 16, Stephanie Thomson, 18, and Lisa Lennox, 18, acted as 'youth ambassadors' and took part in a special flag rasing ceremony in the city to welcome the athletes the night before the opening ceremony.

Erin, who plays football for FC Kilmarnock and enjoys swimming, badminton and judo, Stephanie, who plays football and coaches in a variety of sports and Lisa, who plays football, all joined North Ayrshire Council Leader Willie Gibson at the flag-raising event.

Nigeria and St Helena are being supported in the spirit of international friendship as North Ayrshire’s ‘‘second teams’’.

Councillor Gibson said: ‘‘What a great night this was.

‘‘It was a pleasure to welcome the Nigerian and St Helena teams to the Commonwealth village along with the four young ladies who were selected to take part.

‘‘The sun was blazing down and there was a real buzz about the place because the Games were about to start.

‘‘The celebrations really have shown Scotland at its finest.’’