Visitors to a Fife beach have been assured they will not have to pay to park their cars any time soon.
Locals in St Andrews were warned that parking charges could be introduced with the takeover of West Sands management by St Andrews Links Trust.
They were told that a barrier could be re-erected at the popular beach where the opening scene of classic film Chariots of Fire was filmed.
However, the trust, which looks after the Old Course and other golf courses in the town, said it had not considered parking charges and if they were introduced it would not be imminently.
It said it has simply formalised some maintenance roles with Fife Council and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) and is looking at how the area could be protected and maintained in the future.
The change will see it take responsibility for the whole area as far as the high water mark on the beach.
A spokesman for the trust said: “Following discussions with Fife Council and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust this winter we have formalised some of the maintenance issues we have previously assisted with at the West Sands.
“As a result, from April we will now assume responsibility for grass cutting and shrub maintenance in the areas currently used by the public.
“Alongside this, Fife Council will continue to maintain all access roads and the public toilets, while FCCT will continue its work on dune restoration, protection and its wider work around the Eden Estuary.”
St Andrews councillor Dorothea Morrison reportedly told community councillors that the trust could be considering parking charges in areas of the West Sands.
She was unavailable for comment.