AN EXCITING new music festival is being launched to coincide with Largs pre-Olympic sailing event.

Businessman Stephen McDonald is co-ordinating the Largs Live weekend on June 29 to July 1 on behalf of the new BID group with the slogan: "20 Venues, 30 Bands, 40 Gigs."

Scottish songstress and former Fairground Attraction singer Eddi Reader had already been booked for Barrfields Pavilion Theatre on June 30.

At a meeting of the new BID business group in the Brisbane House Hotel Mr McDonald said: "We do a lot of entertainment, but it's not just about Lounge and Room. We have 16 acts for the Largs Live weekend but Willie on the accordion at the Anchor bar is just as important as me bringing Val Verde to the town.