FRINGE by the Sea has celebrated a spectacular opening weekend, with warm temperatures attracting huge crowds to its main venue in North Berwick’s Lodge Grounds.

Hot Chip kicked off the party with a blistering set on Friday night, and Del Amitri packed out the Big Top on Saturday.

Young and old stripped the willow at the ceilidh with The Jacobites on Sunday, and in the evening, rain did not put off families taking part in the Lughnasadh Torchlight Procession.

READ MORE: Torchlight procession in pictures

Rory Steel, Fringe by the Sea director, said: “It's always great to see so many people in the Lodge Grounds and how much the residents of East Lothian embrace the festival, as well as all the visitors it draws to the town. 

“Ray Mears summed up the atmosphere by pronouncing that Fringe by the Sea was ‘fabulous’.”

Still to come and with just a few tickets still available are the D&M Brass Band bringing “brassy” renditions of pop rock, jazz and the classics, conducted and hosted by musical director James Chamberlain, on Wednesday; and rockers Ash and Idlewild in a special co-headline show, and supported by Honeyblood and DJ Steve Lamacq, on Saturday evening.

Colin Newton, Idlewild drummer and North Berwick resident, said: "I love Fringe by the Sea, and what the organisers and all the volunteers do to make it so special is truly amazing.

"I'm excited to show the rest of Idlewild what a great festival it has become; and also getting to share it with Ash and Steve Lamacq, who we have known since the very beginning of our band 26 years ago, as well as the excellent Honeyblood, will make it even more special."

Also tipped to be a great show is comedian Adam Hills, presenter of Channel 4’s The Last Leg, on Thursday, with compere Phil Ellis and fellow comedians Mark Nelson and Ignacio Lopez.

Continuing the laughter will be Ralph Brown on Saturday, in his show intriguingly titled "My First Hostage Situation"!

And for some epic vocal action, get your tickets now for the House Gospel Choir, whose fusion tunes have supported artists including Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones and Beverley Knight. They will be closing the festival on Sunday, supported by North Berwick’s very own Voices choir.

Other great shows still to come include the Horrible Histories team performing Rotten Royals and punk rock legends The Stranglers today (Tuesday); children’s author Abi Elphinstone on Wednesday; Richard E Grant in conversation with Edith Bowman on Thursday; soul legends The Jacksons on Friday;  comedian Susie McCabe on Saturday; and TV’s Clive Myrie and author Jenny Colgan rounding things off on Sunday.

The Coulters Makers Market and Street Food Village are open every day, and Open Studios, which features local artists opening their doors to the public, also continues this week.

With a packed programme of events in the Lodge and around the town, the festival has only just begun!

To find out more and book tickets, see fringebythesea.com