THE DECISION to hold the Scottish Half Marathon in East Lothian on a Saturday has come under fire from local residents.

Thousands of runners took part in the fundraising event last weekend.

However there was anger from some residents who said the event should never have been held on a Saturday .

Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council said it will be raising complaints it received about the race, which started at Meadowmill, Tranent and finished at Musselburgh Racecourse, with East Lothian Council.

They said as well as concerns about the date of the race residents had complained about a lack of publicity ahead of the event.

Around 4,000 runners took part in the race which was held for the first time last year - also on a Saturday.

Thousands packed the streets to support runners and an estimated £500,000 was raised for charity by runners.

Next year's event is already being promoted on the Scottish Half marathon's website as being held on Saturday, September 17.

This year's race also clashed with the Battle of Prestonpans re-enactment weekend.

There were angry comments on social media following the race on Saturday.

Kelly McKinlay called for residents to be consulted before it is allowed to return and said she was stuck in traffic for 45 minutes as she tried to leave Port Seton eventually giving up and returning home.

She said: "Our tourists can't even get to the camps today until after 3pm because the road is blocked."

Others said expecting the community to host the Edinburgh Marathon and Scottish Half Marathon was too much to ask.

Shona Brash said: "If we accommodate the full marathon, surely another route can host the half? Port Seton was inaccessible; Prestonpans was inaccessible from Port Seton. Traffic queued from Meadowmill out onto A1 - really badly planned."

The community council said it would be discussing the concerns at its next meeting in Port Seton Centre on Tuesday, October 6.

A spokesperson said: "The community council has written to the chief executive of East Lothian Council to advise her of these concerns and to request that there is more advance publicity for any future event and that it takes place on a Sunday when the roads are less busy."

A spokesperson for the council said: “The Scottish Half Marathon is enjoyed by many local runners and spectators and raises huge sums for charities. We work with the organisers to plan such events and to minimise disruption as much as possible.”