The Beach Wheelchairs Project was officially launched at the weekend, with the help of an award-winning author.

Ian Rankin was on hand to help launch the scheme, which has been months in the pipeline for founders Alison Brown and Jackie Tagg, and he cut the ribbon on Saturday.

And the pair, who have been working since late last year on the idea and have been supported by a number of communuty organisations, described the launch as “a great event.” Jackie Tagg, co-founder, added: “Ian Rankin shared some of his experiences of having a disabled son. He said they used to be able to lift him on to the beach and then just stay in one spot, but then he got too heavy so beach trips had to stop.

“I was so impressesd with Ian [Rankin], who took time to talk to everyone. He looked at the wheelchairs and was really impressed with the project and the community involvement.” The popular author took to social media to further praise the project on Saturday afternoon.

He tweeted: “I was in North Berwick for the official opening of this great initiative – wheelchairs adapted to go on beaches.” The beach wheelchairs will now be available for free at North Berwick Harbour, and will allow those in wheelchairs access to the beach.

Meanwhile, Grant McKenzie, regional manager from the Macdonald Marine Hotel in the town, presented a cheque for £500, and pledged ongoing sponsorship towards the scheme.

Poor weather meant the event had to be moved indoors, and the organisers thanked East Lothian Yacht Club for allowing the use of its facility.

They described the event as having a “very celebratory atmosphere”, and hoped that the beach weather would be on its way shortly.

For more visit www.beachwheelchairs.org and to book, call the team on 07494 600954.

Meanwhile, the project has received a funding boost thanks to players of a charity lottery.

They were awarded £1,600 by the People’s Postcode Trust, the charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The organisation will use the money to part-fund the beach wheelchair hire scheme.