A total of £45,000 has been allocated to install electric vehicle chargepoints in residential areas of five East Lothian towns and villages.

The Department for Transport (DfT) allocated the money to the council after it for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) for funding for the chargepoints following approaches from members of the public wishing to invest in electric cars.

The funding will be topped-up with money from Transport Scotland to install new vehicle chargers in Aberlady, Dunbar, Stenton, North Berwick and West Barns.

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OLEV grants are available to councils where they can demonstrate there is a local need from residents without a driveway or private parking to access an electric chargepoint.

East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment Councillor Norman Hampshire said: "Electric vehicles are more environmentally-friendly and economical than petrol or diesel cars. However the decision to invest in one can be difficult for residents without access to a private driveway to install a chargepoint. The OLEV scheme removes this barrier by making funding available to the local authority to meet this demand. The added advantage is that it widens access to chargepoints within residential areas, not just in town centre locations.

"These chargepoints will improve access for everyone in the area, not just the residents who made the initial approach. I'd encourage anyone with suggestions about locations for new points to get in touch."