Dig could be enlightening

Councillors are to be asked to approve plans for a major archaeological project.

A series of digs are proposed for Portobello, Prestonpans and East Linton in an attempt to find products made during the Scottish Enlightenment.

Recent research has indicated that there may be extremely rare wares produced from the 18th century Scottish ceramics industry in the area.

Councillors are to be asked if they want to agree to submit a funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to help get the project going at a meeting of the full council next week.

The Scottish ceramic industry of the 18th century focused on the export market, with goods being sent mainly to America, Canada and south-east Asia.

Many of the items were not marked so their Scottish origin remained largely unknown.