DUNFERMLINE has received purple flag status for night-time safety for the third year in a row.

The collaborative efforts to maintain a trouble-free town centre have also led to a place in the final for another award, which will be announced in London in the summer.

Safety and wellbeing on a night out are key measures for the purple flag with Dunfermline bringing in street pastors and taxi marshals, a safe zone and better lighting, as well as marshals to crack down on anti-social behaviour around the bus station.

Dunfermline Delivers manages the town's entry and Lisa Edwards, the Business Improvement District (BID) manager, said the assessment evening was "just a small part" of an ongoing plan.

She said: "Every six to eight weeks, the partnership completes a walking route around the town to assess and quickly fix lighting, graffiti, overgrown areas of ground, areas of concern and suggest other long-term improvements.

"This is an award for all our combined efforts and the support of all our businesses and we want to say a big thank you for all their help and commitment."

The purple flag initiative involves Fife Council, Police Scotland, Pubwatch, the community safety partnership, street pastors, Forth Crossing Security and Retailers Against Crime as well as other organisations.

She added: “This year, I’d like to mention the street pastors because it is their 10th anniversary of helping to keep late-night revellers safe.

"For a decade, these volunteers have stayed up until 4am on Saturday and Sunday mornings to help people who may be vulnerable, have lost their friends, money or mobile phone.”

Dunfermline Community Inspector Ian Flynn said: “All those involved should be proud of their collective efforts to create a safer town.

"In 2017, it was estimated that the safe zone over the previous festive period had saved £75,000 on NHS resources because late-night revellers could get immediate first aid and support if vulnerable, water to rehydrate, food, and they could charge their phones or borrow a phone if they had lost their mobile to ensure they got home safely."

And Councillor Helen Law, convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee, said: “People on a night out in Dunfermline may not realise how much work and co-ordination goes on behind the scenes to help ensure a safe evening.

"I’d like to thank Dunfermline Delivers for co-ordinating purple flag and I’m also grateful to the bars and clubs that contribute to Pubwatch.”

Dunfermline receives the purple flag next week and the award is also judged on a vibrant and diverse mix of dining, entertainment and culture. The town has seen new restaurants open recently such as Jack O Bryan's, Kinema and Dhoom, while there are plans for a top end eaterie at Abbot House.

There’s a strong live music scene at places like PJ Molloy's and Monty's, with the new 1703 venue set to open in Bruce Street, while the town also boasts the Outwith Festival, Fire Station Creative, the Alhambra, Carnegie Hall and the award-winning Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries.

That's all helped Dunfermline to reach the final of a new purple flag award, in the 'Place' category, which is organised by the Association of Town and City Management. The winner will be announced in June.