“People won’t want to invest in the Borders, visit the Borders or live in the Borders if we trash our surroundings.”

That is the mantra of Borders Party leader Nicholas Watson as he leads an 11-strong team of candidates into battle for the May 3 poll.

The party was founded ahead of the 2007 election, fielding five candidates and returning two councillors – Mr Watson in Leaderdale and Melrose, and Sandy Aitchison in Galashiels and District.

“We are often dubbed the anti-railway party and it is true we were sceptical and remain so that a single-track passenger line to Tweedbank, rather than a full restoration to Carlisle, will, given the huge costs and planning issues involved, be the answer to the serious economic problems we face,” said Mr Watson. “Our message this time around is that the Borders must build on its strengths to attract jobs, investment and prosperity, and make the best of the fantastic assets we have, rather than painting the rather pathetic picture of our region as having to hang onto the coat-tails of Edinburgh.

“This requires a positive vision for the Borders and recognises the key role played by our landscape, quality of life and good schools in persuading companies and individuals to invest in the region.

“We want the Borders to become a magnet for investment and jobs.”

The party’s manifesto commitments include measures to improve broadband provision, enhance bus links and expand opportunities for local businesses to work with the council.

WHEN the deadline for nominations closed last Thursday afternoon, 72 candidates had emerged to contest Scottish Borders Council’s 11 multi-member wards at the local government election on May 3.

Coincidentally, that is exactly the same number of hopefuls who threw their hats in the ring at the last council poll in 2007. Five years on and any disillusionment with politics appears to have been cancelled out by calls, notably from current leader David Parker, for “new blood” to come forward.

However, 28 of the sitting 34 councillors, including Mr Parker, will seek to retain their places (and pensionable salaries) at Newtown. The sextet not going for another term are Tories Neil Calvert, Carolyn Riddell-Carre and Alasdair Hutton, and Lib Dems Jock Houston, David Raw and Jim Hume, the last named having weathered criticism that he could not adequately perform the dual roles of councillor and South of Scotland MSP.

Joining these two parties in fighting all 11 wards are the SNP, currently with six councillors and hoping the Holyrood landslide of a year ago will be replicated at local government level, and the Borders Party, which appears to have dropped its overtly negative stance on the rail link return and propounds an intellectual independence unencumbered by traditional party politics. Labour will try to break its duck by putting up eight candidates, while only 13 of the 72 aspirants will stand as Independents.

Kelso and District ward has the distinction of having most candidates, with eight going for the three places. Galashiels and District, which uniquely returns four councillors, has seven contenders, including community council chairman Bill White.

z A full list of candidates and their addresses can be viewed on the website of Scottish Borders Council which is reminding those not registered to vote that they have until April 18 to do so.

“Residents can print off the relevant form from aboutmyvote.co.uk, or call us on 01835 825100 to check if they are registered to vote,” said Mark Dickson, SBC’s electoral registration officer. “It just takes a few minutes.”

A council spokesperson said the local authority was not in a position to estimate how many eligible adults in the region were not currently on the electoral register or to speculate on the reasons.

The deadline for new postal vote applications, changes to existing postal votes or changes to existing proxy votes is also April 18. New applications to vote by proxy must be in by 5pm on April 25. Emergency proxy applications will be accepted up until 5pm on polling day – May 3.

A PUB has warned its customers they face a £50 fine if they drop their cigarette ends outside the premises.

A sign to that effect was put up at the weekend at The Reivers Bar in High Street, Galashiels.

A spokesman for Scottish Borders Council said community wardens had offered advice to the manageress of the pub.

“They stated that anyone dropping a cigarette end on the pavement or side of the road rather than using the receptacle provided would be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £50,” explained the spokesman.

A COMMUNITY arts social enterprise which has successfully worked with hundreds of unemployed teenagers across the Borders is being forced to scale back its service after suffering significant funding cuts, writes Kenny Paterson.

As many young Borderers continue to struggle to find a job, Impact Arts Borders programme manager Olly Walker has called on Scottish Borders Council to assist the organisation, after losing 75 per cent of its financial support last month.

The cash loss means nine people who work with the local organisation will not have their freelance contracts renewed, as well as internal cutbacks.

Mr Walker said: “The council have a youth employment strategy and are trying to do work in-house, but we are asking why can they not consult with us.

“To go for lottery funding we need support from local partners. We need the council to sit up and take notice of us.”

The end of financial provision last week from the LEADER funding and the Scottish Government’s now defunct Wider Role Fund, leaving only Inspiring Scotland providing assistance, coincided with the opening of Impact Arts latest initiative, a pop-up shop in Galashiels run by a group of 16 to 19-year-olds.

Explaining the group’s alternative methods for getting young people into work, Mr Walker told TheSouthern: “We engage with those who have been on benefits for a while and it gives them a chance to have an insight into retail and making items themselves.

“We tell them you have 12 weeks to open a shop, produce brochures and make stock.

“It is a challenge they like and it is like The Apprentice TV programme. Young people love that responsibility.It has been hugely successful. We have worked with 147 young people in the last two years and 85 per cent of those who attend our programmes graduate with a positive ending, be that education, training or voluntary work.

“There was one young man who had a very challenging background and was well known to the police and court system.

“After taking part in our programme he got himself back into work as a kitchen porter in a bistro.

“It is very different from the traditional options and I think the creative angle works very well.”

The Borders was overlooked by the Scottish Government last month as it dished out £9million to six local authorities in the country from its Youth Employment Strategy Fund.

But Mr Walker believes the region provides young people with challenges not present in other areas.

He told us: “Rural poverty is very different from urban poverty. The Borders does have a small population of around 112,000, but we mustn’t forget the cost of transport for young people.

“We have a girl from Peebles who has to spend £8 every day to come down to Galashiels to take part in the pop-up shop.

“But we have seen positive results, such as a girl who is now heading to Napier University to do nursing, a lad going to Glasgow for a music college course and another who has applied to Borders College.

“This model really needs to be embraced in the Borders.

“In the end, it is not really about creative arts, but employability and being entrepreneurial. It is about experimenting and taking confidence from that.”

An SBC spokesman said: “The Scottish Borders LEADER programme was previously able to grant aid to this project in the region of £120,000 to support their work to help young people find employment.

“We can also provide support and guidance for projects looking to tap into the various funds and grants available. Anyone looking for assistance can contact us on 01835 826543.”

A COURAGEOUS Galashiels girl has been praised for helping to save her younger sister’s life, writes Kenny Paterson.

Brave Langlee Primary School pupil Adele Ennis managed to extinguish the fire which ignited on the pyjamas of eight-year-old Kacey-Lyn.

The 11-year-old’s actions resulted in a visit to Galashiels Fire Station last Friday, where she was congratulated for her efforts.

Langlee Primary pupil support teacher Anne Noble told TheSouthern: “Everybody in the school is really proud of her and her quick-thinking actions. She deserves all the praise for thinking on her feet like that and possibly saving her younger sister’s life.”

The incident took place a month ago in the Langlee home Adele and Kacey-Lyn share with mum Amanda and dad William.

While playing with matches, Kacey-Lyn, who also attends Langlee Primary, dropped one onto her pyjamas, which caught fire.

However, recalling advice by firefighters, primary six pupil Adele rushed to her sibling’s aid by placing a towel over her to smother the flames before running for help from her parents.

Mrs Noble told us: “The school receives fire safety talks from time to time from community fire officers and Adele has remembered some of the information she has received in the past and has known what to do. She then went and got her mum and dad for help.”

She added: “She had a wonderful time at the fire station. We had loads of pictures taken and Adele got to sit in a fire engine, switch on the sirens and spray a fire hose.

“She also received a letter of congratulations from the fire service’s head office in Edinburgh and a goodie bag of stuff.

“She was really pleased and had a wee party with three of her friends at the GYP (giving young people and families support) Borders office in Galashiels, which she attends weekly.

“She is a super girl and we are really proud of her.”

THE close-knit community of Newcastleton is in shock for the second time in under four months after a 39-year-old pedestrian sustained fatal injuries after being struck by a Landrover Freelander on Monday night.

He was named on Tuesday as Walter Brian Davidson of Copshaw Place.

The tragedy occurred in South Hermitage Street, the main thoroughfare at the south-western side of the village, close to the Olive Tree restaurant, at about 10pm.

It was reported to the police by the Freelander driver, understood to be a local woman, who had stopped at the scene.

The road was closed for around six hours while investigations were carried out.

At the time of the collision, Mr Davidson was wearing a grey top, blue jeans and white trainers, and police believe he had earlier been seen walking in the village.

“Officers are still trying to piece together what happened to result in this collision and we are keen to hear from motorists or pedestrians who were in the area at around 10pm on Monday,” said a police spokesman.

“Similarly anyone with any information that can aid this enquiry is also asked to come forward.”

The death of Mr Davidson, who had not long started a job at a biscuit factory in Carlisle, is the second tragedy to hit the village in recent months.

On December 15 last year, 23-year-old beautician Rebecca Rennie died when she was a passenger in a minibus which collided with a lorry on the A7 between Longtown and Carlisle.

“It’s fair to say that our village has been stunned by the loss of these two young people in such a relatively short time and our thoughts at this time are with Mr Davidson’s family,” said local postmaster Jim Rowan.

Anyone with information on Monday’s incident can contact the police on 0131 311 3131 or, in confidence, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

THE leader of the Borders Liberal Democrats does not believe a repeat of the party’s Scottish Parliament result will be seen at next month’s council elections.

The number of its MSPs fell dramatically from 16 to five last year, and rival groups in the region believe they can capitalise on May 3.

But Alec Nicol, whose party has been part of the ruling coalition at Newtown St Boswells for the past five years, alongside the Conservatives and independents, says the collapse of its Holyrood vote won’t affect the chances of the Lib Dems’ 12 council candidates announced this week.

Mr Nicol was speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto in St Boswells on Monday, which focused on jobs and the economy, including a £1million Borders Business Loans Fund, modelled on East Lothian Council’s successful model.

Councillor Nicol, who is standing again in Kelso and District, told TheSouthern: “All our candidates want to highlight keeping local issues at the front of everything we do.

“Whilst bigger things are going on in Scotland, our candidates are focused on what is important at council level, such as education, social work and planning, down to mending pot holes in roads.

“I don’t think we will see the same surge as the Holyrood elections. People are looking to pick a council for local matters.

“The Borders Business Loans Fund will help smaller companies by allowing borrowing and investment in people. We also hope to increase borrowing powers for the council itself so that further jobs in the private sector can be created by, for example, the building of a new school.”

Other key manifesto promises included a youth contract to guarantee work experience or a college place for each school leaver, reintroduction of area committees and establishing a petitions committee.

Fellow Lib Dem councillor Catriona Bhatia insisted the financial difficulties being experienced by Scottish Borders Council should not limit the region’s ambitions.

She said: “We keep hearing the council does not have any money. That is not correct, there is £270million (council budget is £264million) but the key is how that money is spent.

“Talking to local businesses, it is a challenge to get through these difficult times and the council should be playing a part in assisting them.”

Mrs Bhatia added: “Anyone with a petition at the moment hands it to council convener Alasdair Hutton and there is no debate about it.

“Holyrood and Westminister both allow e-petitions to be submitted and discussed and the council should be no different.”

Responding to the manifesto, SNP leader of the opposition, Donald Moffat, said: “The £1million loan fund is a good idea which has proven very successful with the SNP-led East Lothian Council.

“The area committee system has only worked in Hawick and the Berwickshire Community Council forum, which was set up following the system’s demise, has worked better. Just because it works in one area does not mean it works in all areas.

“The Lib Dems’ vote was on the way down in the Holyrood elections and I think it will slip even further this year.”

Outgoing Tory leader Carolyn Riddell-Carre questioned how Mr Nicol and his colleagues would afford their manifesto commitments.

She added: “Key to the Conservative manifesto is our sound financial management. Look at what this council has managed to achieve – new schools, recycling rate up, no library closures – with no council tax rise at all. This is a huge contrast to when the Liberals were in power from 1999 to 2003 and the council tax rose by nearly 40 per cent.

“We have ambitions for the Borders but they must be affordable.”

And Labour’s Hawick and Denholm candidate Michael Grieve told TheSouthern: “The record of the Liberal Democrats both locally and nationally with regard to their manifestos is to treat them as gospel and five minutes after the polls have closed to tear it up.”

A MURDERER, due to be married in prison this summer, has been described as “irredeemably evil” by the stepfather of his victim.

And civil servant Martin Edmunds from Galashiels has pleaded with the bride-to-be of Kevin Gibson to reconsider her decision to tie the knot.

Mr Edmunds, 51, was reacting to the news that Gibson, 32, jailed for a minimum of 15 years in 2004 for the brutal murder of Timmy Wallace, has been given permission to wed 31-year-old Louise Kennedy from Kelso in Addiewell Prison, West Lothian.

The couple became engaged when Gibson, a heroin addict, was on remand after denying killing Mr Wallace, 24, cramming his body into a suitcase, weighing it down with bricks and dumping it into the Water of Leith in the summer of 2003.

The murder took place at a Leith hostel for the homeless which Mr Wallace, who had a flat in Gala Park, Galashiels, and suffered learning disabilities, occasionally used on his visits to the city.

Mr Edmunds said news of the impending nuptials, revealed in a tabloid newspaper on Monday, had evoked dreadful memories for Mr Wallace’s family.

“For four weeks in 2004 I sat through the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh and heard how Gibson had tortured Timmy over a number of days, punching him, stamping on his head, throwing boiling water over him and refusing to get medical assistance when Timmy was close to death,” Mr Edmunds told TheSouthern.

“He then dumped his body, which wasn’t pulled from the water for a fortnight, while fraudulently claiming Timmy’s benefits when he knew him to be dead.

“At the end of the harrowing trial, a litany of Gibson’s previous convictions for violence was revealed and he showed not a hint of remorse after being sentenced.

“His manipulative nature was evident throughout, sacking his legal team and then blaming them at an unsuccessful appeal against his conviction.

“It makes my blood run cold to think what Timmy, who was a harmless, loveable rogue and so vulnerable, suffered at the hands of this monster.”

Sentencing Gibson, trial judge Lord Dawson said: “No words of mine can adequately express the public revulsion for your behaviour towards him, your friend.

“All I can do is reflect that revulsion in the only severe sentence the law allows for the crime of murder.”

Mr Edmunds said it had been difficult for Timmy’s family to move on from the tragedy and that this week’s news has been “a shuddering reminder” of their loss.

“I actually have no problem with Gibson being allowed to marry as long as he is forced to serve his full sentence. My fear is that he is again being manipulative and believes being a married man will help him get early parole.”

However, he said he had contacted TheSouthern for fear that remarks attributed to Miss Kennedy could give the impression that Gibson was, indeed, innocent of the murder after she reportedly stated: “There was a lot more to the case than what was reported at the time and no-one takes that into account.”

“I don’t know this young lady and have nothing against her, but I believe she would be off her head to marry Gibson,” said Mr Edmunds.

“I sat through the whole trial and there were no mitigating circumstances. The man she is about to marry is irredeemably evil.”

BOWHILL HOUSE is revealing rooms to the public not seen in 30 years.

The stately home near Selkirk unlocked the Sir Walter Scott room and the Buccleuch family’s library when it opened three months earlier than usual, in time for the Easter weekend.

House manager Helen Currie said: “Bowhill has always offered visitors a wealth of art, history and holiday adventure but this year the public will be able to access rooms which have been off-limits for decades.”

The Walter Scott room features an exhibition on the Selkirk sheriff and novelist.

Mrs Currie added: “It lets visitors explore the links between Sir Walter Scott and the Buccleuch ancestors as well as looking at the detail of his life.

“People can see Scott’s pipe, quaich, desk seal and ink stand surrounded by artwork of the period such as pieces by Sir Henry Raeburn and Wilkie.”

The Bowhill library has also been opened up, giving visitors an insight into the personal family space of the Duke of Buccleuch and his family.

Mrs Currie said: “We’re delighted that these treasures are open to the public.”

KINGSLAND Primary School is not expected to have full use of its sports pitch until after the summer holidays.

The grass area has had drainage issues since the £8.5million school in Peebles was opened in February 2010.

Councillor Catriona Bhatia asked when the surface would be ready for use at latest full council meeting, with education executive member George Turnbull explaining that further treatment was required.

He said: “Remedial work to the drainage at the pitch was undertaken in September 2011 and although we have just come out of winter, this remedial work on its own may not be sufficient to increase the availability of the pitch.

“Further specialist advice has been obtained and a range of other remedial works have been recommended to the council.

“It is intended that these further works will be carried out over the next three to four months and the school may have periodic interruption to the use of the pitch.

“The project team are trying to work with the school to keep these disruptions to a minimum. Full availability after the summer holiday is expected.”

Councillor Bhatia had hoped the pitch would be ready after the Easter holidays in order for the school to use it as part of their upcoming Olympic celebrations.

She told us: “It is inhibiting on the school’s curriculum and sporting activities.

“I understand in the first year there could have been some problems associated with seeding, but for the pitch not to be ready to use more than two years after being put in is ridiculous.”

Supporters and opponents of Selkirk’s community wind farm are claiming victory this week after the results of a postal ballot were revealed.

The Selkirk Regeneration Company, which organised the vote, concluded: “This demonstrates that the swell of opinion in the TD7 postcode area (Selkirkshire) is that a clear majority is in favour of developing a wind turbine project of some kind in the town.”

This interpretation is, however, refuted by local businessman Peter Field, who launched a last-ditch campaign for local people to reject any such development.

Last month, the SRC sent voting papers to 3,700 households across Selkirkshire with children as young as 11 – an eligible “electorate” of some 6,500 people – being invited to vote yes/no to three options.

The choices, listed as options 1, 2 or 3, were respectively: three 102-metre high turbines north of the town on land at Sunderland Hope (generating annual income to the community of £670,000); a single 79-metre turbine west of Gala Rig on the South Common (£110,000); or three 40-metre 50kW turbines, also on the South Common (£11,000).

On Wednesday, an SRC press release stated: “The results of the poll are as follows: number of votes counted – 949; number voting positively – 603; number voting no to all three options – 346. Thus, 63 per cent voted in favour of at least one option with 37 per cent voting no to any turbines.”

But Mr Field said the results showed “an unequivocal rejection of each proposal”.

“For option 1, 394 voted yes but 555 voted no, for option 2, 391 voted yes and 558 voted no, while for option 3, 389 voted yes and 560 voted no. For each site, around 41 per cent voted in favour, while around 59 per cent voted against, so Selkirk has clearly rejected each of the sites proposed by the SRC.

“It would be a grave injustice for any organisation to show its contempt for the wishes of the majority by proposing wind turbines at any of these sites.

“I believe the SRC should now consider its position and perhaps concentrate on alternative fundraising projects that do not divide the community.”

Full story – page 6

GALASHIELS Community Council chairman has thanked volunteers who took part in a spring clean of the town.

A total of 390kg of rubbish, more than 60 stone, was collected by 39 people from a variety of local groups at sites across Galashiels in just two hours.

Among the junk picked up by the volunteers who were split into groups to tackle certain problem areas of the town, was supermarket trolleys, bikes, wire baskets and old tyres.

Speaking at Galashiels CC’s April meeting, chairman Bill White said the pick-up had seen a “fantastic turnout”, with 109 bin bags filled.

And Mr White called on Scottish Borders Council’s wardens to issue more litter dropping tickets, after hearing only two had been handed out in the last month.

He said: “People need educated so they know the cost of dropping litter. Someone should be telling them ‘The more you drop litter, the poorer the quality of books you will have (at school)’.”

He added: “On behalf of Galashiels and Langlee Community Council, Gala in Bloom, and Gala Waterways, I have to thank everyone for taking a couple of hours out of their busy schedules to help – it is greatly appreciated.

“We have had new support this year, from Asda, and they have committed to helping again.

“The Galashiels Rotary Club in a combined effort with Gala Rugby Club did some sterling work down Huddersfield Street and around Netherdale and this group have grown in numbers. The group meeting at Curry’s car park included seven new volunteers.

“We will be sending a list of areas we feel need further attention to SBC in due course and will be asking our wardens to watch specific problem areas.”

Anyone wishing to help clean the Mill Lade and Gala Water river banks in the town, preferably with knowledge of the water systems, is asked to contact Mr White on 07977 428840 or email w.white43@btinternet.com

Minutes of exercise, that is. Our question of the month: What do you do to keep healthy?”

All forms of activity improve mental and physical fitness – you don’t have to take part in an organised team sport, or go home sore and exhausted.

A few gentle laps in the pool, a brisk walk in the park, or a Saturday afternoon kicking a ball with mates – you’re using your muscles and improving your fitness, whether you’re aware of it or not. It doesn’t have to be a major deal – just deciding to walk to work or school is a start.

It’s recommended that you get 60 minutes of activity per day. It doesn’t have to be 60 minutes of the same activity, it can be lots of different activities combined. The Take Life On website has a widget that you can use to clock up your 60 minutes.

Body

Most of us are familiar with the health benefits of being active. Research and experience has shown that regular activity is the best way to fight off flab. Even the most punishing diet won’t get you the look you want without exercise. After all, the best bods tend to be lithe and toned, or so the magazines say. But to get that desired muscle tone, you need to get active.

We all have days when we feel drained and listless, with no energy to do anything more than slump in front of the TV. An active lifestyle is a sure-fire way of increasing your energy levels. Then there’s your old ticker. It’s worth giving your heart the best chance of staying healthy, even though your forties might seem like light years away.

The British Heart Foundation reckons that being active halves the risk of developing coronary heart disease – even a bit of mild exercise does the job. It also reduces the risk of having a stroke or developing diabetes, and helps lower your blood pressure. For more info take a look at the Yheart website.

Beyond this, scientists are constantly coming up with new and fascinating facts about the way in which exercise helps us stay healthier.

Mind and soul

Fact: Scientists believe that getting active helps improve mood and beat depression. This is largely due to the release of substances called endorphins during exercise.

Endorphins occur throughout the nervous system, and elevated levels of especially beta-endorphin after exercise give us that feelgood buzz (often called a “runner’s high”) and help lower blood pressure, inhibit pain and suppress appetite.

Goes to show it’s not just the body that benefits from sport, the mind and soul do too. Besides improving mood, sport can be a great confidence-booster – just look at David Beckham. Previously he was painfully shy in front of the cameras, but with his spell as England captain, he adopted a new role, inspiring his teammates on the pitch and young people off the pitch.

You don’t need to be captain of your team; if you’re a tad shy, getting the hang of a new sport and taking part will boost your confidence.

Sport allows you to achieve goals, and not just on the football pitch! From being able to run uninterrupted for 30 minutes to doing 10 sit-ups, or even being crowned man/woman of the match.

Even if you’re not the competitive type, there’s a great sense of achievement in simply feeling fitter and more energetic.

It’s a lifestyle thing

Another bonus is the social side of sport. You’ll meet new people away from your usual crowd and get to visit places, whether it is in Scotland or in Europe.

So really, it’s a lifestyle thing. Get active and you’re likely to notice an improvement in your physical and mental well-being. Plus, you’ll be having loads of fun, so you’ll probably end up a happier person!

Many of you let us know how you keep fit.

Alisa told us “I go swimming and I weigh myself before and after every session. I also measure the amount that I am on the internet – to see if it’s too much.”

Escape Hawick had a chat about this and members told us:

“I eat healthy, do rugby and often play sport at the youth centre each week. I also walk up and down to school and play golf in the summer” – Neil Renwick,13:

“I play hockey and netball” – Ruathy Murray, 12:

“I play rugby seven times a week, swimming five times a week, and play tennis in the summer” – Euan Know

“I ride and feed my pony and play hockey” – Megan Renwick, 12 years old.

“We play rugby all week” – Gareth Welsh and Jae Linton.

“I go to the gym every Sunday but then ruin it by stuffing my face full of sugary goodness!!”– Ruairidh Tait said.

POLICE are in the process of recovering a body found in the River Tweed this morning (Thursday).

Officers and fire crews are still in attendance after the body was discovered on along Mertoun cauld, 400 metres from the Mertoun Bridge at 11.30am.

The bridge, which is situated half a mile north east of St Boswells along the B6404, remained opened to traffic this afternoon while both emergency services attempted to pull the corpse from the river.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “A body has been found in the water at Mertoun Bridge.

“We are in the process of retrieving the body from the water and do not yet know whether it is male or female.

“We have no other details on the circumstances of the incident.”

A 23-year-old Galashiels woman was given a fixed penalty fine for throwing a brick through a window in the town on Tuesday.

Police were called to the incident which happened at about 5pm in Meigle Street.

POLICE have this week issued an appeal for witnesses following an alleged altercation at Glentress Forest near Peebles involving a group of runners and a man with a dog.

The incident, in the area known locally as Janet’s Brae, occurred at about 10am on Tuesday, March 20 and police have issued a description of the man they would like to speak to.

He is in his mid 50s, six foot tall with a stocky build and a full beard. He was wearing a peaked cap and a waterproof coat and was accompanied by a black Labrador dog.

POLICE are appealing for information after thieves made off with £2,800 worth of gas in Kelso.

The theft of the 22 cylinders of propane from a yard at Pinnaclehill Industrial Estate happened between 5pm on Friday and 8am on Tuesday.

LOCALS are being urged to keep a lookout for an escaped wallaby in Peeblesshire.

The animal is one of two which swam off an island in a fishing pond at Leadburn Manor near West Linton.

A local marksman darted one last night but the second remains on the run.

The Scottish SPCA was called in to help round up the creatures

The charity’s senior inspector Stuart Murray said: “These wallabies proved extremely difficult to catch and, while we managed to assist with the retrieval of one, another is still missing.

“Wallabies are very fast animals, reaching speeds of around 40mph so it could have travelled quite a distance by now.

“There is a real danger this wallaby could be hit by a car, so we are keen to hear from members of the public who see it so we can help bring it to safety.”

Anyone who spots the escaped wallaby is asked to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

VOLUNTEERS are invited to clean up Newtown St Boswells on Sunday (April 15).

Organised by the Newtown St Boswells and Eildon Community Council, those wanting to take part are invited to go along between 10am and 2pm, starting from outside the Co-op store.

Community council secretary Roger French said: “Litter collection is normally done by Scottish Borders Council but on this one occasion each year, to show that villagers care about their village, it is done by volunteers old and young. So come along and participate and see if we can beat the previous record of 14 bags of litter collected.”

FIVE racing pigeons, worth an estimated £3,000, were stolen from a loft in Peebles Road, Walkerburn, between 10am on Saturday and 10.30am on Sunday.

The police, who say the birds were all registered and marked with rings, are appealing for information.