Bosses at Loch Lomond Shores have promised to rethink plans for their annual Christmas lights switch-on after bigger than expected crowds flocking to this year's event caused road chaos.

Staff who had been expecting around 15,000 people at the Christmas extravaganza were astonished when 38,280 visitors were recorded on the day, surpassing all expectations.

But the massive influx to see the programme of entertainment leading up to the big switch-on and fireworks display caused major traffic snarl-ups at the site and on surrounding roads.

With the Shores' cars parks having capacity for only 1,000 vehicles, cars were parked on verges on approach roads and police were called to handle the situation, with some residents complaining about "idiot" parking and cars blocking driveways.

The facility's manager Audrey Reid said staff were not exactly sure why so many turned up, when the norm was usually around 15,000.

Although staff were delighted that the event had proved immensely popular, with people coming from all over central Scotland, the unexpectedly large numbers had caused problems, particularly with traffic.

She said: "It was crazy. We had expected around 15,000 people, around the same as last year, but we had no idea that more than double would turn up.

"We recorded 38,280, and are not sure why the event generated this level of interest.

"We had people coming from all over central Scotland, including Edinburgh, Stirling, Glasgow and Oban.

"There was a particularly big influx of in the late afternoon to see the lights being switched and the fireworks.

"You can't imagine what it was like. People were abandoning cars on the roadside and police eventually stopped cars coming in and had to shut a couple of roads.

"We took their advice and they were absolutely fantastic. They came with 15 Cadets and gave us a lot of support."

Audrey said one option being considered for future years was ticking, but no decision had yet been made on that.

"I want it to be a great family event with people feeling at ease and enjoying the experience."

Now Audrey has held debriefing meetings to draw up plans on how to prevent another snarl-up at next year's Christmas event.

A Shores spokeswoman said: "We have had comments from some local residents who don't want it ticketed as they see it as 'their' switch-on. Some people have been unhappy and very vocal about it on our Facebook page.

"We are looking at everything in conjunction with our partners to see the best way forward. We are also looking for ideas and suggestions from the community."

With Christmas switch-ons becoming big crowd-pullers, one suggestion has been to hold the Balloch event on the same day as Paisley's.This would avoid the need for people from Renfrewshire to travel to Loch Lomond for a festive day of fun and entertainment.

Moving the Shores event from a Sunday, when public transport is curtailed, has also been suggested.

The public were quick to put comments on Facebook about the road snarl-up.

One post said: "Traffic is horrendous nearly at a standstill coming off A82. Unbelievable every car park full. Tullichewan is being used as a car park also it's so bad police are out on road directing traffic."

Another person posted: "Traffic horrendous. Tullichewan was also parked with cars due to there being no where to park. Stuck on the bypass for ages."

The situation is believed to have been exacerbated by road closures following a fatal accident in Dumbarton.

Many families bringing children from as far away as Edinburgh and Oban gave up trying to reach the shores

Loch Lomond Shores' Christmas lights switch-on were caught up in a traffic nightmare as

Bosses at Loch Lomond Shores may have to rethink arrangements for their annual Christmas

Friends of Drumkinnon Woods

Traffic is horrendous nearly at a stand still coming off A82 unbelievable every car park full Tullichewen is being used as a car park also it's so bad police are out on road directing traffic!

Lu Rintoul Ridiculous for a village this size and this only for the switching on of the lights at LS

Bruce Rennie Just taken me almost 2 hours to get back from Luss . It's a nightmare , Bank st in Alexandria also closed due to an incident.

Emma Mckerry Aw well wonder just what the future holds for our A82 safety of the drivers and our whole infustructute

Pamela Ross Traffic in Drumkinnon Gate a nightmare, cars abandoned everywhere. I have taken photos and will be passing them on. Hope this is not a glimpse into the future.

Traffic horrendous. Tullichewan was also parked with cars due to there being no where to park. Stuck on the bypass for ages

Francis Jack Was talking to three polis up Old Luss Rd asking if they'd be on permanent duty there once Pink Bird took over. They had no clue, Many brought in from Glasgow to do road duty. All said it'd be outwith the locals wallets to take part tho.