THIS year's North Berwick Raft Race has been postponed to due to pollution in the water at the West Beach.

The popular annual event had been due to take place tomorrow (Saturday), but organisers have been forced to postpone after a health warning was issued by NHS Lothian.

Pollution "at an elevated level" was found in the water after tests from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) last Monday.

The raft race is believed to have been started by the late Ronald Coates-Walker more than three decades ago.

Pippa Machetto, the event organiser, confirmed on the event's Facebook page that this year's instalment, due to take place on Elcho Green near West Beach, would not go ahead as planned.

She wrote: "Due to water pollution and gale force winds, we are having to postpone the race to another weekend."

She also apologised to everyone affected by the postponement.

Meanwhile, David Kellock, chairman of North Berwick Community Council, hopes the pollution problem will be sorted soon.

He told the Courier: "Having to discourage people from going into the water on the West Beach is a major concern, particularly during holiday time, and will be a major disappointment for those who should be enjoying swimming and playing there, but safety has to be the first priority.

"It’s a relief that the problem has not spread to other areas.

"East Lothian Council staff are working hard to find the root of the problem and we hope that their efforts will soon result in the source of contamination being found and the water being declared clean and safe enough to use again.”