CLEAN, fresh drinking water could soon be available on tap at the heart of Dunbar.

The latest step in Scottish Water’s bid for a blue tap beside the town’s public toilets off Bayswell Road has been given the green light.

The tap, which was backed by Dunbar Community Council, would be the second of its kind in East Lothian.

Scottish Water launched Your Water Your Life in 2018 to provide people with fresh, clear drinking water when out and about.

Since then, 80 taps have been installed in towns and villages across the country, from Lerwick to Dumfries and Mabie Forest.

Jacquie Bell, secretary of the town’s community council, told the Courier that the town had backed the plans when they were revealed in November last year.

The tap, which measures 1.6m in height, would be the second of its kind in the county, following one sited on North Berwick’s Quality Street.

A spokesperson for Scottish Water said that there were further permissions to be granted before the tap was in place due to the historic nature of the area.

Scottish Water hopes to take the number of taps across the country to 100 before the end of the year.

According to the spokesperson, the campaign offers more benefits than simply allowing people access to fresh water.

He said: “The tap will enable visitors and locals to refill their reusable water bottles, helping to reduce plastic waste and save people money.”

Planning officials at East Lothian Council approved the proposed tap last month, with the condition that work starts within three years.