Staff at Braehead Arena are seeing stars...and they couldn’t be happier.

The ice and dry sports entertainment and exhibition venue has been named as a 4-Star Visitor Attraction by VisitScotland.

It means staff can now display the sought-after Scottish Tourist Board plaque.

The arena is home to ice hockey teams, including professional Elite League outfit the Glasgow Clan.

Managed and operated by the Sportscape Group, the 5,200-capacity venue attracts almost 200,000 visitors every year and is based inside Braehead Shopping Centre.

Since it opened in 1999, the arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the entertainment world, including Bob Dylan, Beyonce, Calvin Harris, Tiesto, Kelly Clarkson, Megadeth, Liam Gallagher and the X Factor tour show.

It has also been the venue for sporting events such as World Championship boxing, Davis Cup tennis, Masters indoor football and WWE wrestling, as well as hosting the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters basketball team.

Exhibitions and conventions are also regularly held at the arena.

The award from VisitScotland shows that the Scottish Tourist Board has deemed the arena to be an ‘excellent’ visitor attraction.

Managing director of Braehead Arena, Gareth Chalmers, said: “We’re very proud to have been given this accolade and it’s testament not just to the facilities at the arena but also to the staff who do their utmost to make sure any events held there go smoothly and are successful.

“We’ve got big plans for the arena and aim to make it the best sports, entertainment, exhibition and convention venue in the country.”