EAST Lothian remains on track to become the country’s leading coastal, leisure and food and drink destination, according to a councillor.

The county strives to promote itself to potential visitors as among the best places to visit in Scotland when it comes to food and drink and attractions within East Lothian.

A report was given to East Lothian Council’s Policy and Performance Review Committee (PPRC) on Tuesday morning and Councillor Jim Goodfellow, North Berwick Coastal, stressed the importance of tourism and visitors to the county.

Mr Goodfellow added: “You cannot overestimate the importance of tourism in East Lothian.

“Nine per cent of the workforce are in tourism.

“This report demonstrates we are far along the way to becoming Scotland’s leading coastal, leisure and food and drink destination.”

The report, which was given at Haddington’s Town House, also highlighted attendance figures for a number of the county’s top events.

That included Fringe by the Sea, The Saltire festival and the Scotland’s National Airshow, held at the Museum of Flight, near East Fortune.

Visitor numbers to Fringe by the Sea, held each year in North Berwick, are again on the increase, having risen from 5,741 in 2012/13 to 7,190 in 2014/15.

Mr Goodfellow was pleased to see the event, which is held in the town where he lives, performing well.

The festival, which takes place August 8-14, will feature Britain’s Queen of Blues Elkie Brooks, as well as Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain.

He added: “Long may it be supported.”

Councillor John McMillan, the local authority’s spokesman for tourism and economic development, was also at the meeting, although he is not part of the PPRC.

He said: “I think when you look at the basic figure that nine per cent of employment is through tourism and the fact that people come here and tell their friends, the economy benefits.

“All the big events in East Lothian – the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, the different festivals – they all promote East Lothian.

“It is great for the high streets, for the hotels and for the nine per cent of the jobs.”

The county has also been a regular attraction to film and television companies in recent years.

Recent filming projects in East Lothian include hit television show Outlander, Tommy’s Honour and The BFG.

In 2014, more than 77 days were spent filming in the county, with the filming thought to have a value of £610,000 to the county.

Mr McMillan added: “It gets people interested in East Lothian and that is what we are trying to stimulate.”