CELEBRATED author Alexander McCall Smith has been added to the line-up at North Berwick’s Fringe By The Sea festival this August.

The author will be discussing life and books and is one of many stars taking to the stage across the town at this year’s event.

The festival has also announced that award-winning Blue Planet 2 cameraman Doug Allan will be sharing his adventures in a talk entitled ‘Natural Born Thrillers’.

They join a line-up including Eddi Reader, Fred MacAulay, Christine Bovill, Val McDermid and The Cuban Brothers.

Co-director Niall Middleton said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing all the acts we have programmed so far. Performers love the opportunity to come to North Berwick and the word is out that this is definitely a cool festival in which to be involved.”

Niall added: “We simply could not run without our team of dedicated and passionate volunteers and we are keen to hear from anyone who may want to help us put the show on the road.”

Meanwhile, festival organisers say they are “working hard to confirm” R&B legend Alexander O’Neal’s appearance at North Berwick this year.

O’Neal had originally been named in the line-up but a contractual issue put his appearance in doubt.

A Fringe by the Sea spokesman said: “We’ve had to put ticket sales for Alexander O’Neal on hold, but we are working hard to confirm him for this year’s festival and we’ll provide an update as soon as we can.”

For ticket details, go to www.fringebythesea.com