'Record crowd' attends arts event

The international arts festival is now in its seventh year

More than 100,000 people turned out for Scotland's largest street arts festival at the weekend.

Big in Falkirk, which took place in Callendar Park on Saturday and Sunday, featured international street theatre, comedy and live music.

The event, now in its seventh year, was headlined by Midge Ure and Orson.

Artistic Director Neil Butler said the festival had attracted a "record crowd" and that the shows premiered there would go on to tour Europe.

International visitors

"Big in Falkirk acts as a catalyst for some of our most talented street theatre artists in Britain," he added.

"This year's programme has demonstrated the range and quality of British performance."

The festival has become a key event, not just for the Falkirk area, but for Scotland as a whole Jim Johnston Falkirk Council provost

Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson said the two-day festival had established itself as one of the most important cultural events in Scotland.

"It plays an important role in strengthening Scotland's reputation as a must visit, must return destination for international visitors," she said.

Jim Johnston, Falkirk Council provost, said the festival had been a "fantastic success".

He added: "We were delighted to see so many people join us in Falkirk to enjoy an amazing weekend of entertainment.

"The festival has become a key event, not just for the Falkirk area, but for Scotland as a whole and we are proud to welcome visitors from throughout Scotland, the UK and abroad."