Funding boost for fireworks

THE future of the spectacular fireworks finalé to Edinburgh’s summer festivals season has been secured for another two years,

Virgin Money, which has backed the Edinburgh International Festival event since 2011, has signed up again in a deal said to be worth £250,000 a year.

The move ensures that the fireworks concert – which was first held in 1982 – will not have to be scaled down or shelved in 2014.

About 250,000 spectators gather in the city centre to watch the display, which involves more than 100,000 fireworks being set-off at Edinburgh Castle rock.

Virgin Money, which is the financial services division of Sir Richard Branson’s empire, is also the current sponsor of the London marathon.