Fringe critic elected on to the board

ONE of the Fringe's most vociferous critics in recent years has been elected on to its board.

Peter Buckley Hill, organiser of the Free Fringe, led criticism of rising ticket prices and burgeoning costs for performers, accusing the Fringe of spiralling into a "general malaise".

His election "manifesto" complains that the rights and status of performers have been "eroded", with the Festival now dominated by money concerns.

Mr Buckley Hill said: "I hope there will be more organisational democracy within the Fringe and that it becomes much more responsive to the needs of performers."