ORGANISERS of a jazz festival have been forced to switch five concerts after claiming a popular theatre venue has gone into administration.

Fife Jazz said the Byre Theatre in St Andrews can no longer host the events from next month.

It was due to host American singers Carla Cook and Champian Fulton; the world- renowned Norrbotten Big Band, from Sweden; and a major youth jazz orchestra meeting which is due to feature more than 40 young musicians from Scotland and Sweden.

Roger Spence, festival director, said: "What a shock and a sad day for a great institution.

"This is the most important and exciting jazz and blues programme we've ever put together in St Andrews, and now our main partner in the town cannot host us.

"Thankfully, the town hall has agreed to a last-minute booking."

Nobody was available for comment at the Byre.