EAST Lothian will take to the television screens this week as a former Transport Minister makes his way through the county.

Former MP Michael Portillo stopped off in East Lothian in October as part of the eighth series of Great British Railway Journeys.

The hit programme, which is shown on BBC2, will see East Lothian feature tomorrow evening (Thursday) and on Friday, at 6.30pm.

The first East Lothian leg of the journey takes Mr Portillo from Darlington to Dunbar as he follows the route taken by George Stephenson’s steam engine in 1825.

Tomorrow (Friday), Longniddry, Haddington and Musselburgh feature in the programme, with Mr Portillo finding out more about Victorian author Samuel Smiles – who was born in Haddington – life as a fishwife and even a ukulele lesson.

Roz Maguire, a co-owner of Lamp House Music, in Haddington, where Mr Portillo picked up the instrument, was looking forward to the show.

She said: “We are so lucky to have our music school based in such a charming, historical building – it really adds to the pupils’ enjoyment of attending music lessons.

“For our lovable school to have caught the interest of the BBC has been an unforeseen highlight.

“Taking part in the filming was a fantastic experience, the programme’s production team and Michael were all so lovely, enthusiastic and genuinely interested in the work we do and the people involved.”

The television crew also spent time with Alex Fitzgerald, information governance team manager for East Lothian Council, before Mr Portillo stopped off at Haddington’s Maitlandfield House Hotel and the Smiles’ family shop, now Diggory’s Cafe, on the town’s High Street.

Frances Kendall, assistant producer at production company Boundless, added: “We had a wonderful time at Lamp House Music and are grateful to them for being so kind and hospitable.

“We wish them all the best for the future with the fantastic work that they do.”