FANS of The Beatles were able to come together at Alloa Town Hall last week as a plaque commemorating the Fab Four's first Scottish gig was unveiled.

The plaque to remember the Alloa gig on May 20 in 1960 has been installed by the town hall's main entrance following a successful campaign by lifelong fans Robert Ferguson and Malcolm Robinson.

Last Tuesday, March 15, they were joined by more than a dozen other devotees to unveil the plaque with hopes it will put the town hall on the musical map as a pilgrimage site for other fans.

Speaking after the unveiling, Malcolm said: “It has been a labour of love and a commitment to get this plaque placed up at Alloa Town Hall.

“I just knew that we had to commemorate this fact and not let it go unnoticed.

“Out of the whole of Scotland, this was the very first place that The Beatles, known as the Silver Beetles back then, trod the boards and Alloa Town Hall was their first musical assignment."

The duo behind the initiative crowdsourced the funds needed for the commemorative plaque and Malcolm thanked all of those who donated from Clacks and well beyond.

He also gave a nod of thanks to Clackmannanshire Council staff who made it all happen.

Malcolm added: “Without the help of Clackmannanshire Council, none of this would have happened, and Robert and I are indebted to them for considering our request and bringing it to fruition."

The unveiling of the plaque has been widely noticed with Malcolm going on to tell the tale to a number of national outlets.

He hopes that die hard fans, who love to travel to locations where The Beatles played, will come to see the venue where they gigged before conquering the world with their iconic tunes.

As reported in the past weeks, the then Silver Beetles, still a five piece, were lucky to get the job as the backing group to back pop sensation Johnny Gentle on the Beat Ballad Show Tour around Scotland.

Alloa Town Hall was the first stop; it is understood they were not well rehearsed and barely knew the tunes they were to perform.

They all adopted stage names – George Harrison as Carl Harrison, John Lennon as Johnny Lennon, Paul McCartney became Paul Ramon, Stu Sutcliffe was Stuart de Staël and Tommy Moore appeared as Thomas Moore.

As a thank you to those who donated towards the plaque, and for fans from around Clacks and the wider area, Malcolm and Robert are organising a commemorative party.

It will take place at Coopers Bar and Restaurant at Kellie Place, Alloa, on Friday, March 25.

Doors will open at 7.30pm with music from A Beats, who will be paying homage to the iconic band.

There will also be a Beatles Disco and a light buffet.

Tickets are £10, email malckyspi@yahoo.com for more details.