AUCHINLECK is gearing up for the ninth Alive and Kicking Festival.

The team at Auchinleck Community Development Initiative (ACDI) have put together four days of events which start with a quiz night at The Railway Hotel on Thursday, July 27.

This will be followed by a Band and Buffet night featuring Status Quo tribute band, Backwater and local group, Destination Anywhere, on Friday, July 28.

People’s Saturday on the 29 July 2017 kicks off in the morning with the Teddy Bears Picnic along with all the other favourites such as the bouncy castle, face painting and the under-12s Chip Disco.

Moving onto the evening, several pubs and clubs in Auchinleck who will host a variety of local bands to entertain all tastes.

Festival finale will be a traditional Scottish Folk evening that will take place on Sunday night, featuring The Gorms from Edinburgh plus local group Strings and Things.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend for the ACDI team will be the official opening of the Auchinleck Community Growing and Resource Garden at Quarry Knowe.

ACDI events and activities co-ordinator, Stuart Mitchell, said: "If you have been watching the progress with anticipation, I’m sure you will be delighted to see the project reach completion. "An open invitation is extended to every resident of Auchinleck to attend the opening event which is scheduled for Saturday, July 29, at noon.

"I would like to begin by saying a massive thank you to our funder, the Minerals Trust, as well as our partners, local venues, volunteers and local residents for their contribution and support in making the ninth Alive and Kicking festival possible.

"Since I took up the role of co-ordinator at the beginning of this year, I have been involved in delivering a range of events and activities including our community cinema and the Celebrate Auchinleck event back in February.

"I look forward to meeting you at our Alive & Kicking festival and our other activities throughout the year.”

Meanwhile a few days before the festival, on On Wednesday, July 26, ACDI's activities for children summer programme continues.

From 10am to 11am bubble-themed arts and crafts will take place. This session is suitable for all ages, however, pre-schoolers must be accompanied by an adult.

Then starting at 11am for an hour, a Zorbing experience takes place. This session is only suitable for children aged five and over.

These activities take place in the main hall of the Boswell Centre and there is a charge of £1 per child.