COMMUNITIES across East Lothian face major disruption on the roads this weekend as a major sports event is held.

Ironman 70.3 Edinburgh takes place throughout the county on Sunday morning (July 2) as athletes cover up to 141 miles by bike, foot and sea.

The coast road between Prestonpans and Cockenzie will also be closed throughout tomorrow (Saturday) as competitors take part in time trials ahead of Sunday's main event.

About 2,000 athletes are expected to take part in the endurance event which is held in locations across the world each year.

It begins with a 1.2mile swim at Gosford Sands, by Longniddry, before the athletes cycle 56 miles through much of the county to Holyrood Park where they face a 13.1mile run.

On the Saturday, the B1384 between Appin Drive, Prestonpans, and East Lorimer Place, Cockenzie, will close between 8am and 6pm for the pre-race time trials.

Sunday morning will see extensive road closures for the cycle race, including between 6.30am to 10.30am the B1348 Appin Drive to A198 Lyars Road, Longniddry.

The A198 and A6137 road between Aberlady and Longniddry will also be closed, as will the B1377 east of Longniddry leaving the only access to the village via the A1 Bankton junction.

There will be no access to Gullane via the coast road between 6.30am and 10.30am with access available only via the B1377 Drem road.

In Haddington, the course uses Hope Park, Station Road and then West Road, with restrictions in place between 7am and 10.30am.

Access will also be affected between 7.30am and 1pm as the race goes from Gladsmuir to East Saltoun on the B6355 with drivers advised to use the A1 via Ormiston and Tranent.

A managed crossing point will be manned for vehicles going to Haddington which will allow them to cross the course when it is deemed safe to do so but expect delays.

In East Saltoun, there will be no access to Main Street from either Pencaitland or Gifford and West Crescent between 7.30am and 12.30pm. During this time the course will travel through Gifford in both directions wit no vehicle access.

Residents are advised that vehicles parked in the cricket ground vicinity will be able to acess the A1 and Haddington via Cockles Brae.

In Humbie, between 8am and 1pm, access west on the B6368 to the A68 will be available but there will be no crossing of the bike route to the east of the village which goes from the B6368 onto the B6371.