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For more than 200 years it has carried the title of Scotland's largest town. But now Paisley has lost its crown to the country's oldest new town... East Kilbride.

Following the explosion in the textile trade in the early 19th century, Paisley has been the town with the highest population in Scotland. But the latest figures show East Kilbride pips the Renfrewshire town by the slender margin of 27 people.

East Kilbride councillor Christopher Thomson says the accolade of Scotland's biggest town is well-deserved.

He claims the town's bright future has been luring families to the area, boosting East Kilbride's population to 74,667 compared to Paisley's 74,640.

Mr Thomson said: "People are proud of what we have achieved in East Kilbride.

"For a new town - a new settlement constructed in post-war Scotland - we have had a lot of successes but these are due to the people who live here, who have helped attract businesses by their dedication and ability to work hard.

"We have several new businesses which will be moving to the town, giving employment opportunities to local people."

With easy transport links to Glasgow, Edinburgh and England, 'EK' as it's known to locals, which celebrated its 60th birthday in 2007, has attracted big-name businesses such as Rolls Royce and Coca-Cola.

And local firms, such as Pronto Fresh sandwiches, are helping buck the economic trend by attracting a "1million deal from supermarket chain Aldi.

It has also doubled its workforce in the last year and expanded its factory.

Ultimo underwear millionaire Michelle Mone has chosen East Kilbride for the firm's HQ.

She said: "East Kilbride is a great town. Our headquarters are a stone's throw from the centre, so we benefit from everything the area has to offer... a bustling town centre, gorgeous countryside and easy access to Glasgow.

"There has been a huge amount of redevelopment so it's easy to see why people want to call East Kilbride home and set up firms.

"It's a fantastic base for business, a great place to live, work, shop and play."

Education has undergone an overhaul in the town. Every East Kilbride secondary school has been rebuilt while the same is planned for the primary schools. South Lanarkshire College is based in the town.

East Kilbride is also a hit for sport with the John Wright Sports Centre, municipal golf courses at Torrance House and Langlands, and the Dollan Baths. In fact, the town has been picked to help host the International Children's Games in 2011.

Social housing is currently undergoing a revamp with 2500 homes taking part in the Home Happening scheme, where each house is fitted out with a new kitchen and bathroom.

The town has also nurtured a host of celebrities. Lorraine Kelly, who cut her teeth on a local newspaper and lived in the Greenhills area said: "East Kilbride is a terrific place to live. My mum and dad still live there. I have fond memories of my teenage years there, growing up safe and happy."

Taggart's Blythe Duff, singer Roddy Frame, football legend Ally McCoist and Red Road actress Kate Dickie also have roots there.

Polo Mint City, as it is sometimes called due to its famously high number of roundabouts, was also home to Rebus star John Hannah.

Benny Martin, Cultural Services Manager at South Lanarkshire Council, says East Kilbride is the arts and culture hub of Lanarkshire as it boasts Calderglen Country Park, the Museum of Rural Life and the Hunter House Museum, commemorating local brothers John and William, lauded as the fathers of modern Anatomy and Surgery (William's collections are also at the heart of Glasgow's Hunterian museum).

The town also hosts the annual outdoor arts festival Artburst.

Calderglen brought more than half a million visitors to East Kilbride last year and features everything from wallabies to meerkats.

Benny said: "East Kilbride is a hub for cultural activities and it develops year on year. The town has a strong arts and cultural identity and is the hub of Lanarkshire.

"Calderglen attracted more than 600,000 visitors while East Kilbride Arts Centre generates a great buzz for its performances and classes."

East Kilbride was the first of Scotland's new towns and was followed by Irvine, Glenrothes, Livingston and Cumbernauld.

Now the town is set to spruce up its image more with the council rubber-stamping a "400m town centre redevelopment.

It will see the demolition of the concrete Civic Centre and Hunter Health Centre and the construction of new buildings. A new 1000 seat theatre and 500 seat civic hall are planned in the move to create a new museum, arts centre and a new town square. Scot land's largest undercover shopping centre is here, covering 1.2m sq ft and luring more than 300,000 visitors each week.

Andy Bradley, centre director, said: "This is fantastic news and confirms the town's position as the top place to live, work and shop in Scotland."

There is a wide range of properties available in East Kilbride on s1homes:

Property developers have also seen the appeal of East Kilbride. Stewart Milne are building a development at Thornton Grange

And Bryant Homes are also building homes at Thornton View

Miller Homes are building houses at Highfield Manor

WHAT THE LOCALS THINK

FRANK EDISON, 53, unemployed: "There have been so many changes to the town... some good, and some bad. I've lived here my whole life and don't see myself moving."

ANDY PATERSON, 42, area HR manager: "I've lived here for five years after moving from Newton Mearns. It's just more accessible. It's fantastic for kids with all the leisure facilities and of course, the shopping centre."

ELAINE MCDONALD, 58, runs kilt shop in the village: "I'm originally from England and I think the lifestyle up here is just better in general. People are friendlier and the old traditional scene is still appreciated."

SHELLEY McDONALD NEARY, 25, works in kilt shop: "I like the fact that people here have embraced the new changes but still respect the history of the town. I see that every day at my work in the kilt shop."

DARREN HEMPSY, 18, student: "The shops in East Kilbride are great. I go a lot with friends for something to eat or we'll go to the cinema, so it's great for young people."