ALLOA will take centre stage as a BBC documentary charting the rise of the Beatles is set to air next month.

Grand Tours of Scotland’s Rivers will feature an episode centred on the River Forth, with a portion of the 30 minute show focused on Alloa’s part in the history of Liverpool’s most famous sons.

Famously, the Beatles played their first ever Scottish gig at Alloa Town Hall in May 1960, a slice of history commemorated by a plaque outside the hall.

The plaque was fundraised for and placed by local historian Malcolm Robinson and author Robert Ferguson, who are both self-confessed lifelong fans of the Fab Four.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Malcolm said he was honoured to have played at part at bringing this piece of history to the front view.

He said: “As a Beatles fan, I always felt that this should be commemorated and was so pleased that, with the help of Robert Ferguson and a good number of people from Clackmannanshire, we managed to make this happen through a GoFundMe project.

“This helped to pay for the plaque and also for a Beatles night which we had at a local hotel.

“I am so proud to have managed to get a plaque placed at Alloa Town Hall to commemorate this fact.

“My thanks to Clackmannanshire Council and all those whose money made it happen, and also to the A Beats, Alistair Morris and Steven Taylor for their Beatles music at the hotel a week or so after the plaque ceremony, and also Ewans Disco.”

The Silver Beatles, as they were known back then, visited Alloa in what was to be their first gig, joined by Stuart Sutcliffe.

Malcolm and Robert will both feature in the episode, talking viewers through the famous visit to the Wee County.

Robert added: "It is a buzz appearing on mainstream TV, especially prime time on BBC Scotland, and having the opportunity to promote Alloa.

"The Beatles' experience at Alloa Town Hall was the primary reason Paul Murton brought his show to Alloa, and he used the Beatle's story as the central attraction.

"The commemorative plaque proves the Alloa/Beatles promotion is positive and a marker highlighting the town positively.

"Paul Murton produced a great show that gave Alloa a positive identity."

Alloa will be feature on episode five of Grand Tours of Scotland’s Rivers, set to air on Monday, February 5 on BBC One Scotland at 8.30pm.

Alternatively, the full series is already available to stream on BBC iPlayer as of last Monday.