TICKETS for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo have sold out in record time, with fans snapping up all the tickets six months in advance.

The Tattoo said all 209,000 tickets had been sold six weeks earlier than last year.

The event, which takes place in August, has netted £4.6 million in ticket sales and organisers have put up "sold-out signs" at ticket offices.

Brigadier Mel Jameson, the Tattoo's producer, said: "I'm delighted that, after 56 years, the Tattoo is now more popular than ever and that the success of this event continues to make a significant impact on the Scottish tourism economy as well as on our ability to increase our yearly charitable giving."

The sold-out signs were raised yesterday, though some resale tickets may become available.

Over 1,000 performers from Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are set to feature in this summer's Tattoo, which includes the largest gathering of pipes and drums ever to grace Edinburgh Castle's esplanade.