INNERLEITHEN was alive with the sound of music at the weekend.

And this year’s 12th annual music festival proved such a success organisers have already booked one of the headliners to return next year.

Local musicians performed alongside some of the most famous names in Celtic music anywhere in the world. And crowds appeared up.

Pam Fraser, chair of the organising committee, told the Peeblesshire News: “We are delighted with his year’s event.

“On Friday night our local support Sophie Dyer and Seonas Ashby went down really well. Saturday afternoon’s audience was more than we would normally get for an afternoon. it has been a really good mix of acts.

“Each year we try to do at least something fresh for example this year our new event the rock session with Don Cameron at the local Mason’s club went down a storm with lots of dancing.” Among the highlights of this year’s festival was the headline concert from Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham at the Memorial Hall in Innerleithen.

Not even the rain could dampen spirits, with buskers lining the High Street. Among them was former Beltane Queen Niamh Kinahan, from Peebles.

The Reverend Jim Wallace accompanied Niamh and her sister Mhari on the guitar.

He said: “Any funds we raise today will go to help pay for midwifery training for an aids victim in Malawi.” The busking competition was won by 13-year-old Innerleithan Silver Band member Sophie Watt who entertained shoppers.

Organisers are already planning for event number 13 next summer.

Pam added: “We already have one booking for next year, which is Eddi Reader and her band, because she went down so well last time she was here.”