HUNDREDS of residents turned out to enjoy sunshine and entertainment at Inverkeithing’s Lammas and Hat and Ribbon races last Friday.

The event, held as part of the town’s traditional Lammas Fair, kicked off with Michael Dunster, of the 1st Inverkeithing Boys’ Brigade, carrying the famed hat and ribbon on a spiked halberd, and leading the Royal Burgh of Inverkeithing pipe band, Fife depute provost Kay Morrison and local councillors down the High Street.

A crowd of around 400 lined Hope Street to watch the races, starting with the girls’ seven-and-under event, won by Ava Lynas (7), pursued by Sophie Cranston and Aimee Arnott (both six).

Drew Symms (7) took the boys’ seven-and-under title, with Luca McMahon (6) second, and seven-year-old Charlie Gallagher third.

Eight-year-old Mya McMahon was first home in the girls’ eight-to-10 race and the boys event was won by Aaron Arnott (10). Chloe Bayliss (12) was first across the line in the girls’ Lammas race (ages 11-14) with the boys’ Lammas race won by Dylan Thomson (14).

Laura Gill (28) won the Ladies’ Lammas Race (ages 15 and over), with daughter and mum Dionne Murray (19) and Michelle Sinclair (37) joint second.

The premier race, the Hat and Ribbon, was won by Martin Hampson (15), with Derek Burton (26) second and Regan Lumsden (15) third.

The races were followed by prize-giving and a reception at Inverkeithing Civic Centre, which included the first public performance of ‘Carnegie’, a musical production by Rosyth director and composer Ian Hammond Brown set to appear at the Alhambra Theatre in November.

Inverkeithing Community Council member Myrna Venters said, “We were blessed with the weather and it went very well.

“It’s about the children at the end of the day and bringing the community together.

“Everybody had a great night and we were very privileged to see the first public performance of ‘Carnegie’.

“A big thank-you to everybody for coming along and celebrating the event.”