TONIGHT is the night that the guessing will stop and the principals for this year's Beltane Festival will be revealed to the public.

At a coffee evening in the Burgh Hall where entry is free, the Beltane Committee Chairman, Keith Brunton will introduce the Cornet Elect, the Cornet Elect's Lass, Warden of the Cross Kirk, Warden of Neidpath, Reader of the Boundaries and the Crowning Lady to the audience.

The doors to the Coffee Evening will be open at 7pm and there will be entertainment by Peebles Silver Band until the introduction at 8pm.

Prior to that, the Principals will be introduced by Mr Brunton to the members of the Beltane Committee in the Old Council Chambers

Once the principals have been introduced, on the stage, they will mingle and chat with the crowd in the hall. The Cornet elect will then be wheeled along the High Street in the revamped Cornet's Barrow, with Peebles Ex Servicemen's Pipe Band following behind. He will make his way to a reception held by the Peebles Ex Cornets Association.

The name of the Beltane Queen and her court will be announced at the Drill Hall on Wednesday, May 11.

Beltane Secretary Allan Beveridge said: “That week in June is always a special week for the town. A lot of effort goes into the event from members of the committee and everyone involved with the festival. So many people give up their free time to make the occasion what it is.

“This year, we are trying to renew all the bunting on the High Street, thanks to the hard work of a previous Crowning Lady.

“All the costumes that you see at the Beltane belong to the Beltane Committee. Each year, some some are repaired or some are completely new. So the ladies responsible for the costumes have been working flat out throughout the winter.

“It is a huge commitment to get the 500 costumes ready, and you see similar level of commitment in all other aspects of the Beltane. But when you see the town come alive for that week in summer, the effort is worth it."

This year's Beltane celebrations start on Sunday, June 19 and the week-long programme of events runs until Saturday, June 25.