JACK McConnell yesterday appealed for Scots to come out publicly in favour of the bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The first minister's plea was echoed by Steven Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, who warned that public support across Scotland was essential for the bid to succeed.

A campaign to garner backing through text message, post and a website, was launched yesterday in the city by Mr McConnell.

The two-month drive has already received the support of celebrities, a cross-party group of politicians, business leaders, the local authority and the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland.

Mr McConnell said: "In two months' time, we make the first presentation to members of the Commonwealth Games Federation at the 2006 Games in Melbourne.

"When we sit round the table with the other Commonwealth countries in Australia, I want them to know that our bid has the full backing of the Scottish people and that we will host a Games to remember."

The first minister said supporters already included Kenny Dalglish, Billy Boyd, Rod Stewart and Sir Alex Ferguson, and urged the public to back the bid by texting the word "Gold" to 61611, logging on to the website, www. glasgow2014. com, or by sending a postcard.

The 71 countries of the Commonwealth will choose the 2014 Games venue when they meet in Sri Lanka in October next year. The Games were last held in Scotland in 1986 with Edinburgh as the host city. This time, the country is pitted against the Canadian city of Halifax and Abuja in Nigeria.

According to Mr McConnell, Scotland is better prepared for the 2014 bid than it had been in the unsuccessful attempt to attract the 2008 European football championships.

"I thinkwe have better intelligence about the other bids, and about the opinions inside the Commonwealth, " he said. The country has also had the experience, since then, of hosting major events like the Special Olympics in Glasgow.

According to Mr Purcell, the bid belongs to the whole of the country. He said: "This is as much Scotland's bid as Glasgow's. Not only are there opportunities for the whole country to benefit from the Games coming here, but we know that we require the support of all Scotland if this is going to happen."

The logo for Scotland's bidwas also launched yesterday. It is a criss-cross pattern said to be "loosely-based" on two people coming together to form two Xs, with the Glasgow 2014 slogan underneath in Charles Rennie Mackintosh-style lettering. Louise Martin, chairwoman of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, said: "I believe it has a strong Scottish feel with a modern vibrant image that reflects our nation."

Among the top Scots' athletes at the launch was Alison Sheppard, 33, the Commonwealth Games' swimming gold medallist. She said: "It's very important for sport to be seen on the TV and on the news bulletins. It promotes healthy living and it's something for kids to do."

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP Holyrood leader, also voiced her support, saying: "Not only will the Commonwealth Games bring a huge boost to Glasgow, they are a fantastic opportunity for Scotland's topquality athletes to be represented at a Scottish level across a wide range of sports."

The Tories also backed the campaign. Bill Aitken, Tory MSP for Glasgow, said: "It would be a fantastic sporting double for Britain if this bid was to be successful on the back of London's winning bid for the 2012 Olympics."

Business leaders in Glasgow threw their weight behind the campaign. Lesley Sawers, chief executive of the city's chamber of commerce, said: "Glasgow has so much to offer in this race for the Games and it is crucial that the executive, local government, the city's public and private organisations, and the general public support this campaign and generate enthusiasm for what has the potential to be an iconic sporting event for Scotland."

COSTS AND BENEFITS

Scotland's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games was formally launched at Holyrood in December.

A [GBP]60,000 application fee was sent off with the papers that officially designate Glasgow as a candidate city.

The cost of staging the Games is estimated to be [GBP]250m. The cost is expected to be divided 80percent-20percent between the Scottish Executive and Scotland's biggest city.

Ministers have already stated that Hampden Park would be the centrepiece for the tournament, and that a new arena would be constructed in the east end of Glasgow.

Hosting the Games could create as many as 2200 jobs.

Glasgow will compete against cities from Canada and Nigeria to host the event.

The winning city will be announced in Sri Lanka next year.