A VILLAGE gala has been given the go-ahead to include a drinks tent, despite a decision to bar a neighbouring gala from serving alcohol because it was deemed a "children’s event".

Aberlady Gala organisers insisted that their annual summer gathering was a community-wide event for people of all ages.

And they told East Lothian Council's licensing board that they did not plan to start serving alcohol at the gala until after the main parade of floats had taken place to ensure that it did not clash with the main children’s events.

Last month, the licensing board refused a drinks licence for East Linton Gala.

At the time, organisers pointed out that local bylaws allowed people to bring their own alcohol to the event and drink it on the grounds during the day.

They also argued that the event was for the whole community and not just for children, but their argument was dismissed by councillors.

READ MORE: East Linton Gala banned from selling alcohol

Today’s (Thursday) board meeting was reminded by its licensing standards officers that part of its policy stated that events which were predominantly aimed at children had to give a compelling reason to be allowed to sell alcohol.

She also told the board that, after granting Aberlady Gala a drinks tent licence for last summer’s event, she visited and saw people drinking outwith the approved tent area, adding: “I saw six people leaving the grounds with drinks bought from the tent and moving into the streets.”

Councillor Neil Gilbert said that he could not support the granting of a licence for the event, adding: “It is a gala day with events organised for children throughout the day and they will be in attendance all day. In line with the board’s policy, I cannot support this.”

Councillor John McMillan, acting chair of the board, proposed that the licence be approved for Aberlady with a later opening time for the drinks tent of 2.30pm to ensure that it did not clash with children’s events.

The board approved the licence with the later starting time by three votes to two, with Mr McMillan, Councillor Fiona Dugdale and Councillor George McGuire supporting it, and Mr Gilbert and Councillor Cher Cassini against.