Future of arts festival laid out

The event has seen Falkirk become a centre of arts activity

Scotland's largest street arts festival will stay in Falkirk for another three years after councillors approved a £192,000 contract.

UZ Events, a Glasgow-based arts production company, will take the helm of Big in Falkirk, which will continue to commission international work.

The event, now in its seventh year, attracts more than 100,000 people and is being held at the end of April.

The event is seen as having put Falkirk on the international arts event map.

Falkirk councillor David Alexander said: "UZ have shown that they can work well with Falkirk Council and other partners in producing an event that fulfils its brief to entertain on many different levels.

"It's also a good example of where the private sector can work efficiently with the public to produce an innovative event that is recognised as being one of the best in its field."