NORTH Berwick festival Fringe by the Sea has confirmed its full line-up – and revealed that it will be hosting three-time Grammy-nominated dance music duo Groove Armada.

The best-selling electronic dance act, famous for hits such as At The River and I See You Baby, have been selling millions of albums worldwide for the past two decades and will be performing for one night only at the seaside festival.

They will be joining a variety of top talent descending on the town for the August 2 to 11 festival that will provide music, comedy, art, political discussion and more.

Authors including Peter Irvine, John Niven, Sue Lawrence and Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark will be discussing their latest releases.

Alexander McCall Smith and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be having a ‘lunchtime conversation’ with Lord David Steel, with Val McDermid having a similar chat with former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell.

The Spectator’s political correspondent and former North Berwick High School pupil Katy Balls will be asking David Mundell MP about his career as Secretary of State for Scotland, while inspirational speakers include Kylie Reid, Sara Sheridan, Jojo Fraser, Cal Fraser and Mollie Hughes.

There will be jokes aplenty as comedians Reginald D Hunter, Fred MacAulay, festival favourite Simon Evans, Jamie MacDonald, Janey Godley and Edinburgh Comedy Award finalist Glen Moore take to the stage too.

Environmental talks come from the Isle of May’s nature reserve manager David Steel, Hemione Cockburn on ‘Discovering the Deep’, David Hetherington on the lynx, Peter Cairns on rewilding Scotland, Charlie Philip on dolphins, and Cal Major on plastic waste awareness, with Sir David Attenborough’s favourite Planet Earth and Blue Planet cameraman Doug Allan also set to be a hot ticket.

Groove Armada will not be the only chart-topping band on the agenda, with Alexander O’Neal, Inner City, Idlewild, Be Charlotte, MALKA, the foot stomping Cuban Brothers and a Pet Shop Boys’ tribute band also appearing.

The festival is also brimming with family fun, as top children’s author Debi Gilori and Charlotte Lo make an appearance, along with dinosaur expert Dr Ben Garrod, Mr Boom, Alexander The Great, Monski Mouse Baby Disco, as well as classes on art, seaside science, kite-making, ceilidh dancing and cookery to keep the little ones amused. The Abbey Church will have a creche from the Monday to the Thursday from 10.45am to 3.15pm.

For those wanting to slow the pace down a little, Barefoot Sanctuary provides a daily session on mind, body and soul as well as meditation.

Elsewhere, Courier columnist Dave Berry leads his popular Walk the Toun events each day, while there is a North Berwick in Bloom Garden Walk, a trip to North Berwick Law and a Coastal Safari with the East Lothian Countryside Rangers.

Scottish film will be celebrated at the community centre with showings of T2 Trainspotting, Ae Fond Kiss, Outlaw King (with introduction by first assistant director/producer Danny McGrath), Ratcatcher and also Connect, which is set in North Berwick and will feature an introduction by director Marilyn Edmond.

Niall Middleton, festival director, said: “This is a programme to bring people to North Berwick to see and hear some of the best entertainment talent around. We are especially proud of the huge amount of Scottish performers who are coming and look forward to 10 days of sun, sea and fun.”

This is the second year that Fringe by the Sea has partnered with Edinburgh-based ticketing platform Citizen Ticket, a spokesperson for whom said: “After the success of working with Fringe by the Sea last year, we’re delighted to be back on board for 2019.

“We’re looking forward to returning to North Berwick with even slicker tech to help the festival run smoothly for both the operations team and guests.”

To buy tickets and for news and programme information, visit fringebythesea.com