Plans for a spectacular celebration of the royal wedding in St Andrews are continuing to take shape.
Footage from Fife will be beamed to an estimated TV audience of one billion when the town’s famous graduates tie the knot.
Prince William and Kate Middleton met while they were students at St Andrews and will marry on April 29.
Many people in Fife still feel an affinity with the couple something very much in evidence when the pair returned to the Kingdom in February when people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of them.
It is hardly surprising St Andrews has now been gripped by a serious bout of wedding fever luckily, there is a cure for the ailment, courtesy of a “royal wedding breakfast” to be held at St Salvator’s Quadrangle.
A BBC outside broadcast presence is set to ensure the St Andrews celebrations are seen by more than a billion people.
The organisers of the “community party” said they had received a “major boost” when it was confirmed the Byre Theatre will provide extensive technical expertise and logistical support.
The theatre’s operations manager Stephen Sinclair said, “We feel that the Byre is an integral part of the St Andrews community, and so we were delighted to add our support to this town-wide initiative.
“It is great to see so many local groups coming together to plan this event, and doubly rewarding to know that the proceeds will be supporting the royal couple’s favoured charities.”
Dozens of other businesses and organisations have come forward to offer their support.
“There is huge public interest and many hundreds of ticket requests have already been received,” a spokesman for the organising committee said.
“It is not too late to enter the ballot for tickets, which remains open until April 11.
“Online applications are being received at the event website www.standrewsweddingbreakfast.co.uk and paper forms can be completed at various venues in St Andrews including J&G Innes Booksellers and the Cosmos Centre.”
Meanwhile, a special information day will be held at the Byre from 11am-3pm on Saturday, April 9.
Those attending will be able to register for the ticket ballot, find out more about the occasion or register as a volunteer.
St Andrews Community Council’s Kyffin Roberts is chairman of the event’s organising committee.
“The town is responding magnificently to our appeal for support,” he said.
“Substantial contributions both cash and in kind have been pledged by a number of businesses, local organisations and schools.
“Although more help is still needed, we are now within touching distance of covering our costs.
“The fantastic assistance we are receiving from the Byre and others will ensure that St Andrews presents its best face to the one billion-plus people around the world who will be watching our event on live TV.”
It has also emerged that a major eve-of-wedding concert is being planned, also at St Salvator’s Quad, for the evening of April 28.
Details are expected to be announced next week.