Severe weather forced the cancellation of last year's event

The organisers hope that the move will help to ensure that last year's wholesale cancellation of the event due to severe weather is not repeated.

The extra stages will be on and around the Mound.

The French company behind the fireworks at the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games, Groupe F, will mastermind the display in the capital.

Up to 100,000 people are expected to attend the annual street party in the centre of the city.

Traditional music

Passes for the event will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from Saturday.

Details of the artists who will perform at this year's event are due to be announced in November.

The three new stages will provide a showcase for hip-hop and urban music; contemporary and traditional Scottish music; and top pipers from Scotland and abroad.

The event will also feature a main stage in Princes Street Gardens, a pyramid in the east gardens and a world music stage at Waverley Bridge.

'A real positive'

Pete Irvine of organisers Unique Events said that the cancellation of last year's event was a "great misfortune".

But he added: "We have turned that into a real positive in that for the first time we are able to have a lot more stages within the street party.

"We are taking various steps to reduce the possibility of cancellation ever again.