BEAT the Street, a new cycling and walking initiative that involves ‘beat box’ sensors on lampposts, is coming to East Lothian.

Funded by East Lothian Council, the project is being brought to Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Wallyford, Whitecraig, Longniddry and Cockenzie and Port Seton.

It runs for six weeks until October 23.

East Lothian is the first local authority in the Lothians to introduce the game.

More than 40 beeping and flashing sensors, called Beat Boxes, will appear on lampposts across participating towns and villages and players must tap the boxes with free contactless cards and key fobs.

Tapping the boxes tracks their journeys and earns players points for themselves and their selected team; the more boxes people swipe, the more points they get.

Primary schools across the ‘Beat Box’ towns will be handing out free maps and cards before the game begins.

Cards and maps can also be picked up in libraries in Longniddry, Musselburgh, Port Seton, Prestonpans and Wallyford.

Primary schools in these areas are competing to see who can score the most points to win cash prizes for their school.

Workplaces and community groups are also encouraged to take part in the game and compete for the variety of prizes on offer.

The furthest travelled group at the end of the six-week challenge and one at the top of the leaderboard will take home the prizes, worth hundreds of pounds.

In addition, registered players can win weekly prizes, including sport and fitness vouchers, Beat the Street branded goodies and cuddly toys.

Those who are not part of a school, community group or workplace – but are still wanting to take part – can do so by joining one of four local charities.

The Walk With Scott Foundation, Beach Wheelchairs, Changes CHP and Cycling Beyond Age will all compete for a share of a £500 prize fund.The charity in first place will receive £250, second place £150 and third place £100.

Those willing to register a team should email team.eastlothian@beatthestreet.me

Beat the Street is delivered by the company Intelligent Health on behalf of East Lothian Council with funding from the Scottish Government’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places and the Musselburgh and Preston, Seton and Gosford Area Partnerships.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, East Lothian Council’s cabinet spokesperson for environment, said: “We’re really excited to be bringing Beat the Street to the wider Musselburgh and Prestonpans areas and seeing how many miles the community can run, walk, cycle and scoot during the six weeks.

“Anyone living, working or studying in the area is invited to play – it’s completely free and is a great opportunity to get outdoors, spend time with your friends and family and get moving.

“Watch out for Beat Boxes popping up in the communities soon, pick up a card and get involved.”

The game already has more than one million players worldwide and has previously taken place in South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and Glasgow where over 5,000 families took part.

For more information visit www.beatthestreet.me/eastlothian