Life's beachy as town gears up for festival

OPEN-AIR concerts, comedy and children's entertainers are part of an eclectic line-up for the first Fringe by the Sea festival in East Lothian.

A series of performances are planned for North Berwick's three-day festival, including some of the best local jazz, folk and pop musicians.

Concerts will be staged on the beach and even on a train as part of the festival.

It was organised by local residents Eric Wales and John Shaw, who wanted to attract Festival-goers further afield.

Mr Wales, a guitarist with the group Fat Sam's Band, said the duo came up with the idea in January.

He said: "We thought a wee break down to the beach would be welcomed by Festival-goers. After a day of sun and sand in North Berwick, there's not much to do after 6pm. We aim to change that."

Passengers on the 1.37pm Edinburgh to North Berwick train on Wednesday, August 13 can enjoy the first, free concert by Orkestra de Sol. The group will then parade along the High Street in the afternoon.

All the events have been timed to allow audiences to catch the last train back to Edinburgh.