TEMPERATURES may have plummeted but spirits stayed high as Glasgow hosted its first Sleep in the Park.

Nearly 3000 people bedded down in Kelvingrove Park overnight - joining another 7000 fundraisers who took part in Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

And a series of big-name performances that kept attendees entertained at the start of the night included the first performance from Scots band Frightened Rabbit since the death of frontman Scott Hutchison earlier this year.

So far, bosses said, Sleep in the Park has raised more than £3.2 million for charity Social Bite, which aims to end homelessness in Scotland.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, Social Bite co-founder, said: "This is a night that we collectively gave a voice to the people who have never had one - and the event will have the very direct impact of helping 830 people off the streets in Scotland.

“There are 11,000 homeless households in Scotland. 

“When I think about all of the amazing different people, sleeping out throughout Scotland tonight, the one thing that strikes me is that homelessness isn’t insurmountable. 

“Scotland is a small enough country, a compassionate enough country and a collaborative enough country, where nobody has to be homeless here. 

“We won't end homelessness after one night, but we have made one giant leap towards that goal. 

“And that is the achievement of everyone who took part."

The multi-city event saw people from all walks of life take on the challenge of sleeping out in the open air.

Last night, while it stayed relatively dry, torrential rain throughout Saturday meant soggy ground for Glasgow’s participants while the mercury dropped to two degrees. 

Mum Ursula Smillie had persuaded her daughter Cassie to take part in the sleep out challenge.

She said: “The school I work in, we spend a lot of time with one of the co-founders of Social Bite and we did a Wee Sleep Out with the kids so I thought I would take part in the main event.

“I was part of the generation that was taught to look the other way when you saw a person on the street but I want my daughter to know that this is something that we must fix, it is not acceptable to have people sleeping on Scotland’s streets.”

Cassie added: “The atmosphere is absolutely amazing and I’m buzzing for the event tonight.

“We’ve been sponsored by friend and family so there’s no way we’re letting them down - there’s no weather that would put us off.

“And besides, it’s just one night for us and then we go home. 

“You think about what people have to endure on the streets and know this is nothing.”

Tommy McGee, from Springboig, had a personal reason for taking part in Sleep in the Park.

The former soldier served with the army from 1987 to 1992 but spent six and a half months homeless along with his young son.

He said: “I know how it feels and so I wanted to come out tonight and support the homeless.

“Hopefully tonight will give people an idea of what it’s like.”

Amy MacDonald, Kathryn Joseph, The Twilight Sad and Darren ‘Loki’ McGarvey gave performances in Kelvingrove Bandstand before a surprise headline slot from Biffy Clyro.

But the highpoint of the night was an emotional return from Frightened Rabbit just seven months after lead singer Scott died by suicide.

The audience was gripped by the band’s performance, which included guest appearances from Kathryn and from The Twilight Sad frontman James Graham.