A CANAL festival will be centred around a new £12million marina which is due to open this month.

The boating event in Kirkintilloch, run by East Dunbartonshire Council, will take place on the weekend of August 23 and 24.

Southbank Marina, which will be finished later this month, will provide facilities for themed boat rides.

Landlubbers won't be left out, with Peel Park in the town centre hosting a folk club night.

Councillor Billy Hendry, convener of the environment committee with responsibility for tourism, encouraged people to make the most of the festival weekend.

He said: "The Saturday night of the festival is beginning to establish itself as a date for the diary as well as the Sunday itself, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.

"We have great facilities in Kirkintilloch focused around the canal and this is an opportunity to make the most of those by coming along and enjoying a great night."

Themed boat trips along the canal on August 23, setting off from the marina, will include a ghost and ghoul event, run by Spirit of Glasgow Ghost Tours, and a wine tasting barge with the Bowling Harbour Ceilidh Band.

The folk club the following night will feature Rachael Dawick, Off the Cuff and The Broads.

For more information, visit www.kirkintillochcanalfestival.org.uk or telephone 0141 578 8622.