First day ticket sales for Festival soar

FIRST day ticket sales for this year's Edinburgh International Festival have topped £260,000, organisers said.

The National Ballet of China, Mariinsky Opera company, Mahler's Symphony Number Two and the opening concert were the early bestsellers as tickets went on sale over the weekend.

Jackie Westbrook, marketing and communications director, said: "It's fantastic to be selling tickets after all the months of planning and preparation. We've enjoyed meeting passionate customers, welcoming old friends and new faces."

Tickets went online over the weekend and are now available in person from the Playhouse, Queen's Hall, Royal Lyceum Theatre and the Usher Hall.