Malmo is all a sparkle.

Outside the city arena, sequins twinkle in the light. Eurovision fans have been arriving in force, kitted out in a range of fabulously flamboyant outfits.

In the queue, we meet a group who have travelled from Iceland. They are all wearing the same multi-coloured glittering jackets.

"United by sequins," one of them quips, riffing on the contest's slogan "United by music". Further along we meet Eurovision superfan Dimi.

"I love it, I grew up on it," she gushes. She explains she is sad her native Australia has been knocked out, but it hasn't taken the shine off the event.

Many in the crowd have flags draped over their shoulders, others are channelling the acts' outfits, including Elizabeth and Katie from the UK, who have been inspired by Finland's Windows95man. Read more:Ireland reaches Eurovision final for first time since 2018Eurovision facing controversy over contestants and politicsWho will win this year's show and the acts to look out forEverything you need to know about this year's show Around 100,000 visitors from 89 countries are expected in Malmo this week.

It is a huge boost to a city with around 360,000 residents and the police have spent months planning. Sweden not taking any chances Around the arena, officers are relaxed but visible.

Small groups stand together on corners, others peer down from the roofs above. Against a backdrop of two wars and the recent Moscow terror attack, Sweden is not taking any chances.

It has drafted in officers from neighbouring Denmark and Norway to help with security. Eurovision adds to possible tensions Sweden is already on terror alert level four out of five after a string of Quran-burnings sparked outrage in Muslim communities last year.

Eurovision has added to the possible tensions with several protests planned in opposition to Israel being allowed to participate. Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to gather ahead of the second semi-final on Thursday where 20-year-old Eden Golan will fight for her place in Saturday's final.

A smaller protest in support of Israel is also planned, although some in the Jewish community said they were nervous it could become a target. 'We just want to enjoy the music' One Eurovision fan said they had seen some protests but they had been "really peaceful.