THERE was much excitement in Prestonpans when a new bank suddenly appeared on High Street... although all, it turned out, was not as it seemed.

The sudden appearance of the RCHG Bank in a former insurance company office next to Aldhammer House sparked a flurry of interest but it turned out to be little more than a prop for the BBC whodunnit drama Armchair Detectives, which is filming in East Lothian.

Just over a year after the Royal Bank of Scotland shut its doors as the last bank in Prestonpans, the appearance of a new financial institution had tongues wagging.

The town has been able to access services from the Credit Union since February this year, but the appearance of a new bank was certainly exciting.

Brian Weddell, Prestonpans Community Council chairman, said his phone did not stop ringing after the bank front.

He said: "Signs had gone up above the former insurance office and locals were asking 'who are RCHG Bank?' I tried the Yellow Pages but nothing was listed there and a Google search also drew a blank.

"Whilst Capital Credit Union have helped fill the void left by RBS closing the last bank in town last year, it looked like a new player was coming to Prestonpans.

"Curiosity got the better of me and I had to find out who were RCHG Bank, so I walked down to  High Street and was stunned to see camera crews gathered outside our new bank.

"It transpires that the bank is part of a new Armchair Detectives series that the BBC are filming in East Lothian."

The new daytime show, currently being shot in the county, is set in the fictional town of Mortcliff and challenges players to solve a murder mystery along with viewers at home.

Cast of the new show were captured filming on Port Seton's Barracks Street last week, as well as at the new 'bank' and elsewhere in Port Seton. They have also shot scenes at Gosford House.