The first Spring salmon of the season on the River Tweed was caught on Thursday, February 4.

Bob Miller from Milne Graden landed the fish.

Bob was fishing on the Junction at White Dykes, and was ably assisted by head boatman Billy Jack, when he hooked the 8lb springer.

The hen fish was caught early in the morning on a gold bodied Willie Gunn.

The fish, once it had been weighted and verified, was safely released back into the river.

As is traditional, the presentation of the Tweedside Tackle Trophy (crafted by local artist Jason Sweeney back in 2007) was presented to Bob Miller by Tim Pilcher.

Bob is now the 10th angler to win this prestigious prize.

In addition to the trophy, Bob received a certificate and a Tweedside Tackle ‘goodie bag’.

The trophy remains on show in the Tweedside Tackle shop in Kelso.

As yet unclaimed is the Tweedside Tackle Decanter for the first salmon of the season from the Teviot Water.

A new Victims’ Code for Scotland which sets out the rights of victims has been launched.

Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs Paul Wheelhouse marked European Day for Victims of Crime by launching the code which aims to improve victims’ experience of the criminal justice system. The Code sets out their rights, and information about the release of offenders.

At the Children 1st base in Selkirk, Mr Wheelhouse said: “Anyone who has been a victim of crime should have confidence they will receive the right support and advice through the criminal justice process, which is why we have introduced the Victims’ Code for Scotland.

“We have long recognised the need to provide the right help, information and support to those affected by crime as this plays a key part in a modern justice system that is fair, accessible and efficient for all. This government has already introduced a range of measures to ensure that those who rely on our justice system have confidence that their voices will be heard.

“By ensuring their interests remain at the heart of the criminal justice system we can help victims continue to feel supported and informed at every stage of the process.

“I am particularly pleased to be able to be here, in Selkirk, to officially launch the Code.”

Anna O’Reilly, Children 1st Assistant Director for Scottish Borders said: “Our base in Selkirk is an ideal place to launch the Victims’ Code as from it we support children and families whose lives have been scarred by abuse and a critical part of that work is ensuring they aren’t traumatised further by the process of bringing the perpetrator of their abuse to justice.”

The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), Scotland’s largest teaching union, has agreed a ballot of its members over industrial action unless a fair pay agreement can be agreed cross the sector.

EIS members at Borders College outlined the increasing pressure they are under due to unresolved issues of pay and workload when they met with South of Scotland MPS Claudia Beamish recently.

“I support EIS’s call for a Scotland-wide plan to harmonise terms and conditions across the sector.

“A lecturer’s work goes beyond face-to-face teaching, such as meetings and course development, and this has to be reflected in their pay.I hope that agreement can be reached on national pay scales and strike action avoided.”

Following a protest outside the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council offices in Decemb er a Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government remains committed to national bargaining in our further education sector.

““ recognise that moving towards this approach was always going to be challenging given the level of change required;not everything can be achieved quickly.”

A warning has been made of an organised gang of poachers, based in north-east England, who are planning to electro-fish rivers across the Borders and East Lothian over the next fortnight.

Anybody seeing anything suspicious is urged to contact the police or Lee Fisher, Salmon Board Bailiff.

The search is on for people with powerboat experience as boat trips are set to return to the Tweed at Paxton.

The attraction has been on offer since July 2014, with boats leaving from the mooring adjacent to the Paxton salmon netting station where passengers can observe the netting crew in action ‘bagging and tagging’ sea trout and salmon for scientific research.

The journey lasts about an hour, heading west, upriver under the famous Union Chain Bridge to Horncliffe and the ‘Black Hole’.

The volunteer ‘skippers’ give a running commentary on the local area history, the Chain Bridge and the salmon fishing industry. Most trips see a wide variety of birdlife including buzzards, heron and the occasional kingfisher.

The boats run from April to October. Unfortunately the river poses a problem, the tidal nature of the Tweed, as far upriver as Norham, meaning the number of sailings have to be limited to suitable water levels giving a maximum opportunity of three a day.

For several days a month it is impossible due to the higher tides being at night.

The current volunteer helmsmen number just three, Brian and Lesley Hawksfield from Ayton and Kerry Noble from Belford. Brian and wife Lesley are highly experienced offshore sailors who have visited most of the world’s oceans. They crew both boats when required. The Paxton Trust are looking for volunteers to join and help this team. Although the job is purely voluntary, travel expenses are met and the Tea Room makes sure they’re fed and watered!

Anyone with powerboat experience should contact Paxton House events manager, Allison Sutherland on 01289 386906 or allison@paxtonhouse.com.

A second stabbing incident in five days has stunned residents in Galashiels.

Last night (Monday, February 22), a 28-year-old man was stabbed in a block of flats in Talisman Avenue at around 10.30pm.

Police were called to the address and the man was taken to the Borders General Hospital, where he is said to be in a stable condition.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police in the Scottish Borders were called to an address on Talisman Avenue, Galashiels, at around 10.30pm on Monday, February 22.

“A 28-year-old year old man sustained serious injuries to his torso and was taken to Borders General Hospital, where his condition is described as stable.

“Two men are currently detained in connection with this incident.”

Last Thursday, 75-year-old David Farish was murdered at his home in Tweedbank.

A 68-year-old man has been arrested and charged with his murder and is due to appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Wednesday).

The two incidents are not thought to be connected.

A family farming partnership has been fined £45,000, following the tragic death of a Hawick teenager on their farm.

Nineteen-year-old Zach Fox died after being engulfed in oil seed rape while trying to clear a blockage in a grain bin at Deanfoot Farm, Denholm, on August 1 2014.

Tenant farmer James Manners and colleagues made frantic efforts to save the teenager as he continued to submerge into the grain.

Resuscitation was carried out for over an hour, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Seamore Farming, a partnership having its business at Deanfoot Farm, Denholm, appeared on indictment at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, and admitted failing to make a suitable assessment of health and safety.

The partnership – comprising James Manners and his estranged wife – failed to maintain and provide a system that was safe in relation to clearing blockages from the grain exit, which required persons to enter a confined space in the grain bin, containing flowing solids, such as oil seed rape.

Prosecutor Gary Aitken said the partnership had no previous convictions, but there had been failures to have “a safe system of work” in place, resulting in the tragic death of the 19-year-old farm worker.

Zach had not been directly employed by Seamore Farming, although had worked as a full-time farm worker for about a year – and had been helping out at a busy time of year.

Mr Aitken told how large metal containers were used for storing grain at harvest time, and would require cleaning out about four times a year.

“It is not uncommon for blockages to occur,” he explained.

He told how Zach had climbed into the 25-ton bin, which was about a quarter full, to try remove a blockage, and became immersed in the free-flowing grain and died of asphyxiation.

“Someone would climb up the ladder on the exterior and climb inside,” he explained, “and a long pole was used to allow the grain to flow.”

He said Zach has used this method before, as had others on the farm, and it usually took about half-an-hour.

Mr Manners was working nearby when he heard shouting from someone in the bin.

He climbed up the external ladder and could see Zach was waist deep in grain inside.

Mr Manners turned off the chain conveyer and went for help, but by the time he returned, Zach was up to his neck in grain, with only his head and outstretched arms visible.

He climbed up and put a rope around him, to try to pull him out, and also tried to dig the grain away but it flowed back just as quickly.

“Zach became emerged in grain and died very quickly,” said Mr Aitken.

Colleagues made frantic efforts to recover him, drilling holes in the bin.

Emergency services attended and found him unconscious.

“Resuscitation efforts continued for over an hour, but he had passed away,” said Mr Aitken.

“There had not been any risk assessment for the task,” continued Mr Aitken.

“I sincerely hope that today’s proceedings area wake-up call for other farming businesses,” he added.

“Open access was a clear hazard, and the access ladder on the exterior was damaged, and there was no fall protection.

“The task did not require entry to the bin and can be carried out without doing so,” he added.

He said a pathology report confirmed Zach had died very quickly.

He said the farming business conceded the system was unsafe and had complied with notices issued to them.

Mr Aitken said the 1,700 acre farm was mainly arable, but also had sheep and pedigree cattle.

Defence solicitor Claire Bone said her client extended his deepest sympathy to the Fox family, who were also in court, and had also been deeply affected by the tragedy.

“This may serve to warn others, and was not a deliberate attempt to cut corners,” she explained.

She said the bins had been installed some 35 years ago, and had been cleaned the same way over that time.

Ms Bone said the business had acted swiftly to implement a safe environment.

“Clearly this is a serious matter and, with the benefit of hindsight, these working practises could have been avoided,” she said.

Sheriff peter Paterson fined the business £45,000.

“The court extends its condolences to the Fox family over this tragic matter,” he said.

“This has undoubtedly also been very difficult for the Manners family,” he added, “It is a tragic matter, and it is an accident. It was never foreseen it would occur.

“However, it is a serious matter, and the court must reflect that,” he continued.

“I take account of the efforts taken by the Manners, and the fact they put themselves at risk in doing that,” he added.

Another record entry has been received for this year’s Peebles Poultry and Bantam Club championship show, held in the community centre at Walkershaugh, and open to the public between 1-3pm.

This is the clubs largest show to date with entries totalling 1,617 ... the entries having closed early due to the venue being filled to capacity, and some entries having to be returned.

Sadly, on New Year’s Day, the club lost a valued member of the committee in Jim Scott, who passed away suddenly.

He was a great supporter of these shows, quietly and unobtrusively adding value and input.

This year’s record entry consists of 1,029 competitive birds; 280 eggs; 213 challenge and 58 photographs.

The photography section, now in its third year, is judged by Mark Beedie, a keen amateur photographer. He will once again be photographing all of the champions this year.

There is also a new poultry artwork section, with 14 entries.

Unusually, all of the exhibitors who had birds on championship row in 2015 are coming back with the hope of repeating their success in 2016. There will be 154 exhibitors coming from across the whole of the UK, including Peter Hamill returning from Dunganno, who had an enviable two birds achieving Championship Row in 2015.

Local exhibitors Ed Glass; and Keay and Sterricks will also be looking to repeat their successes from last year, having won best rare breed and best goose respectively in 2015.

Junior and juvenile exhibitors are also well represented.

The majority of the are Poultry Club of Great Britain panel judges, one of whom is James Robertson from Kaimend, one of the club’s founder members, judging for the first time at the show, looking after trios, turkeys, utility and wyandottes.

This year, a critically endangered, ancient Scottish breed of duck will be included for the first time, in the non-standard waterfowl classes.

The Shetland duck is being keenly supported by exhibitors who are working hard to increase the numbers of the rare gem, thought to have been brought to Britain by the Vikings.

A well-supported auction will again be hosted, with 23 selling pens of exhibition-quality birds, giving the public a rare opportunity to buy birds from leading breeders and exhibitors.

Along with the poultry, there will be a piece of poultry artwork that has been donated by R. Waugh to the club to sell at auction, which will take place at 2.15pm.

The club is delighted to have received sponsorship from Carrs Billington, Selkirk, which is kindly providing the shavings and feed for the show.

Entry to the show is free.

Berwick-based Silvery Tweed Cereals has completed a major factory investment programme to boost capacity and create jobs.

The £1.5 million programme includes new plant and equipment, and has also so far created eight new full time roles.

The six month project, partly funded by the Regional Growth Fund, delivered by Arch, included the installation of a new automated packing line and robot pallet system.

As one of the longest established family businesses in the industry, Silvery Tweed Cereals continues to be family owned and managed – a status it has maintained through 172 years in business. Today the company processes raw grains at its 40,000 sq ft factory – most of which come from a 40 mile radius in the Borders – , as well as cleaning and blending seeds, for supply into cereal and bakery products.

Managing director Bob Gladstone said: “Our latest investment programme will make a real difference to the way we operate and we’re really pleased to have been able to create permanent new jobs in the process.

“It’s vital that we continue to invest in the latest plant and technology to both maintain our excellent reputation within the food industry and seize the growth opportunities as consumer tastes evolve. Our cereal and bakery ingredients are supplied into many of the UK’s top food and drink brands, as well as own-label products of the major retailers, so we must stay at the top of our game when it comes to the efficiency and safety of our processes.”

Described as a “community lifeline” when it closed in November 2014, a Galashiels shop is set to reopen in April, writes Andrew Keddie.

It follows the unanimous decision of the Scottish Borders Licensing Board on Friday to grant an off-sales licence to the new operators of the premises at 44 Tweed Road.

Run as an unlicensed general store and sub-post office by owners George and Cath Douglas for 32 years, the outlet will be leased to Adam Purves Galashiels Ltd, the car dealership which operates several forecourts/shops in the region.

Last year, the firm completed a major revamp at its Wilderhaugh shop in Galashiels, rebranding it to Spar.

In a statement to the board, the firm said the premises would operate as a “general convenience store for the surrounding residential area with a wide range of food and non-food items for sale”.

“The intention is for the premises to be open from around 6am till 10pm with no sale of alcohol outwith the core licensing hours [10am till 10pm].”

Earlier this month, company director Andy Purves described the impending reopening as “an exciting opportunity both for us and the local community”.

But he cautioned that, without an off-sales licence, the venture would not be viable.

This week Mr Purves welcomed the board’s decision.

“It was extremely positive to have our licence application for Tweed Road accepted,” he told The Southern.

“We are also very pleased with the enthusiastic response of local residents to the reopening which, all going well, could happen as early as April.”

There were no objections to the firm’s application for a premises licence.

There was, however, a letter of endorsement from near-neighbour Alastair Lings who wrote: “I support this application in the hope it will allow this shop to reopen and again provide a valuable service to the local community.”

The news was also welcomed by Galashiels and District councillor Sandy Aitchison.

“It was a great pity when the shop closed following the retiral of Mr and Mrs Douglas, who did such a sterling job for so many years, serving a very large community on the south-east of the town,” said Councillor Aitchison.

“I described it then as a community lifeline for that is what it was and I am absolutely delighted that a local company is now stepping into the breach.”

Borders Sport and Leisure has announced plans to spend over £500,000 in improvements to Selkirk Leisure Centre – which will see it closed from May to September.

The massive investment will enable the creation of a new multi-use studio, enlarged fitness suite, new reception and seating area, modern, accessible wet-side changing rooms, toilet facilities and a new sauna.

Elements of the mechanical plant in the building (heating/ventilation) will also be upgraded.

The total cost for the project will be £552,422 and the centre will be closed from Thursday, May 5, until September to enable the works to take place.

Ewan Jackson, chief executive at Borders Sport and Leisure, said: “We are committed to encouraging people of all ages across the Borders to become more active and to providing the best facilities we can for them to enjoy.

“The changes planned for Selkirk will transform this leisure centre and we hope that its current users can bear with us while all of the necessary work takes place.”

To assist customers during the refurbishment period, Borders Sport and Leisure will be suspending charges for all members of Selkirk Leisure Centre throughout the closure period and offering them access to other Borders Sport and Leisure centres free of charge.

In addition, everyone on the Learn to Swim programme will be given the option of having their lessons transferred to either Galashiels or Teviotdale Leisure Centre, and will be able to enjoy free swimming at other Borders Sport and Leisure swimming pools with their members’ cards.

Mr Jackson continued: “There is no ideal time to undertake the improvements, however, as some of them are critical to prolonging the life of plant equipment we are going to begin the project as soon as practical.

“We would like to apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused by the closure, but we are confident that they will be pleased with end results.”

Councillor Vicky Davidson, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for Culture, Sport, Youth and Communities, said: “This is a very welcome investment in Selkirk Leisure Centre. It secures its future and puts to bed any residual fears about the facility. We realise there will be an inconvenience to the local community due to this closure.

“However, the improvements will result in a much improved Leisure Centre which users will benefit from for years to come.”

Louise Martin, chair of sportscotland, said: “We are delighted to invest over £170,000 into these substantial improvements at Selkirk Leisure Centre. At sportscotland we are working closely with our partners to build a world-class sporting system for all, and collaborations such as Borders Sport and Leisure are integral to the success of that ambition. This combined investment will provide more and better opportunities for the people of Selkirk and surrounding communities to take part in sport and physical activity in an excellent facility.”

Borders Sport and Leisure is a charitable trust and operates 15 different leisure facilities across the Borders, in addition to running sports and activity programmes within schools and the community.

It has emerged that 21 Borderers are among more than 8,000 people being offered blood screening after they were treated by a healthcare worker diagnosed with hepatitis C back in 2008.

Health officials ordered the move after finding it was probable that two former patients had been infected during a procedure carried out by the medic.

The vast majority of those being offered screening (7,311), are in Lanarkshire. The region’s NHS board said this week that the healthcare worker, who has not been identified, did not return to clinical practice after testing positive in 2008. A “detailed investigation” was carried out and the findings submitted to the UK Advisory Panel for Healthcare Workers Infected with Blood Borne Viruses.

NHS Lanarkshire said: “Based on the evidence available at that time, the UK Advisory Panel advised that a patient notification exercise was not indicated.”

This position changed when NHS Lanarkshire was made aware in 2015 of a patient referred for treatment for hepatitis C who had had a surgical procedure carried out by the healthcare worker.

NHS Lanarkshire is working with other health boards to notify former patients who underwent surgeries where the worker was involved.

While they are screening for hepatitis, the risk was very low. Dr Iain Wallace, medical director at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We know that some people receiving the letter may be anxious about what this means for them. We have apologised to patients for any concern that may be caused by this situation. We are committed to supporting patients and are ensuring they have every opportunity to get information about the situation.”

Scotland’s new left--wing coalition, RISE, is set to hold a day of action this weekend, in protest against austerity measures.

The focus of the day of action is council tax, which was frozen for the ninth successive year by Scottish Borders Council in its recent budget announcement.

RISE is calling for the scrapping of the “regressive” council tax to be replaced with an income-based tax, where those on incomes under £10,000 will pay nothing while people on £25,000 would pay £675 per year.

South Scotland Regional candidate Sarah Collins said: “Cuts to our vital services must stop. A progressive tax would raise revenue to ensure that public services and infrastructure would improve.”

Borders RISE activists will be at the Market Square in Galashiels from 11am on Saturday, February 27.

Scottish Borders Council is imposing a list of stringent conditions on companies and organisations wishing to deliver home care to vulnerable clients across the region.

As the commissioner of these services, the council is seeking interest from “a number of service providers” who may or may not be included in a new list from which contracts will be awarded from May 1 this year.

The high standards demanded by SBC is set out this week on the Public Contracts Scotland website.

“To support the development of a flexible and resilient [care at home services] market, the council is taking a new approach with the aim of creating capacity to meet the demand,” states the tender notice.

To be eligible for inclusion on the list, which offers no guarantee of any care package commissions being awarded by SBC, potential providers must subscribe to a number of laudable requirements.

“The service aims to help people sustain, recover or manage their health, skills and abilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives,” states the document.

“The service also provides support to those approaching the end of their lives in their own homes where this is their choice.

“Successful delivery of the service involves putting the person at the centre of decisions about the way they want to live and the support they want to receive.

“It also requires that services are provided in a way which reflects a strong commitment to the principles set out in the National Care Standards for care at home services.

“These principles are dignity, privacy, choice, safety, realising potential, equality and diversity. It also requires close co-operation with, and listening to the views of, people who use the service and, where appropriate, obtaining the views of family carers and friends.”

To be considered for the list, providers must also submit evidence of their professional experience in the field of home care and the probity of their directors.

They must also produce their financial accounts for the last two years and have relevant risk indemnity insurance.

And if the bidders meet these criteria and are awarded a contract, they must sign up to the following clause: “In the event that any aspect of the contract or the service, including the termination of the contract and subsequent re-commissioning of the service, becomes a matter of media speculation, the council and the provider shall issue an agreed media release.

“The provider shall not make any statement to the media without first consulting the council. This clause shall survive the termination of the contract.”

Providers wishing to be on contract list have until March 17 to submit bids.

A Borders-based social enterprise is among the organisations to benefit from the latest round of National Lottery funding.

Communications consultancy Face PR has received more than £6,000 for the production of a monthly publication for the third sector in the Scottish Borders.

The aim of the pilot is provide information and provide a vehicle for third sector organisations, such as charities, social enterprises and community groups, to promote the work that they do. The grant from Awards for All Scotland will meet set up and production costs.

Director Kathleen Travers said: “We are delighted. The purpose of the project is to ensure that as many community groups and organisations as possible get access to information and the chance to promote the work that they do.”

Eyemouth’s Giacopazzi’s gelateria have once again been honoured for their ice cream, picking up two awards at a national expo last week. Pictured above are Somers Giacopazzi and Peter Giacopazzi, with their trophies.

The three-day expo is the only one of its kind in Britain, and ran from February 16-18 in Harrogate, Yorkshire.

The family business picked up a diploma of merit in the Ice Cream Artisan category, another in the Toffee Ice Cream competition, and a third for their Raspberry Pavlova. There was another diploma of merit in the open competition, for the unique blend of Peanut Butter and Coconut Jam. Best of all,they won two Silver Challenge Cups, for Lemon Sorbet and Strawberry Frozen Yoghurt.

Police received a report of possible poachers in the Whitsome area yesterday evening (Tuesday, February 23).

Two men in camouflage clothing and woolly hats with numerous dogs and two green quad bikes were seen, along with a 7.5 ton horsebox, at around 6:45pm.

The vehicles had left the scene heading towards Chirnside prior to Police arrival and were not traced.

Police are urging people to report any suspicious activity by phoning 101 or 999 in an emergency, giving as much detail as possible including vehicles types and registration numbers

They offer a checklist for action to be taken if people suspect a wildlife offence has been, or is being committed:

Do report. Even if you are not sure - report the incident.

The evidence of wildlife crime is not always obvious.

Take a note of the date, time and weather conditions.

Try and give an accurate description of both the incident scene and location from where you witnessed the incident.

Note a description of person/s involved including gender, age, height, clothing etc.

Write down any vehicle registration numbers, make, model, and colour that may be involved.

Identify other witnesses and obtain their name and contact details.

Photograph or video the scene, or make a rough sketch.

Cover up any suspected poisoned baits or dead animals victims to prevent any animal / person coming into contact with them.

Do not disturb the scene by moving items or walking about unnecessarily.

Do not touch dead animals or birds, especially if you suspect that poison may have been used.

Do not interfere with legal countryside practices such as the legal use of traps and snares, hides, high seats and shooting butts.

Never approach suspects or intervene if you suspect someone is committing a wildlife crime – you may put yourself in danger.

Local MSP Christine Grahame has welcomed news that a Scottish Government-backed loan scheme to ease cash flow issues in Scottish agriculture has opened for applications.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead announced last week that the Scottish Government is making £20million available to help farmers and crofters facing hardship whilst waiting for Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments.

The Scottish Government is continuing to process claims seven days a week and as of last Wednesday had made almost 8,000 payments.

This figure equates to more than 43 per cent of eligible claims.

Ms Grahame said this week: “Farm payments remain the priority of the government but some farmers and crofters are still waiting and are therefore facing financial hardship as a result.

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government has put this fund in place as a safety net until all of the payments can be processed.”

She continued: “Any farmer in my constituency who feels they are in financial difficulty is being asked to first contact their bank, which have offered to help more by, for example, waiving set-up fees.

“In light of this, the Scottish Government scheme is being targeted at those in genuine financial need but who cannot get support through their normal bank.”

She added: “If their request for assistance through their bank is declined they can then contact the Scottish Government for a fast-tracked interest-free advance worth 60% of their CAP claim to tide them over until their payment comes through.

“I’m sure hard-pressed farmers will welcome this emergency funding, which is interest free, as a stop-gap measure before they receive their CAP payment.”

It has emerged that 21 Borderers are among more than 8,000 people being offered blood screening after they were treated by a healthcare worker diagnosed with hepatitis C back in 2008.

Health officials ordered the move after finding it was probable that two former patients had been infected during a procedure carried out by the medic.

The vast majority of those being offered screening (7,311), are in Lanarkshire.

The region’s NHS board said this week that the healthcare worker, who has not been identified, did not return to clinical practice after testing positive in 2008.

A “detailed investigation” was carried out and the findings submitted to the UK Advisory Panel for Healthcare Workers Infected with Blood Borne Viruses.

NHS Lanarkshire said: “Based on the evidence available at that time, the UK Advisory Panel advised that a patient notification exercise was not indicated.”

This position changed when NHS Lanarkshire was made aware in 2015 of a patient referred for treatment for hepatitis C who had had a surgical procedure carried out by the healthcare worker.

NHS Lanarkshire is working with other health boards to notify former patients who underwent surgeries where the worker was involved.

While they are screening for hepatitis, the risk was very low. Dr Iain Wallace, medical director at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We know that some people receiving the letter may be anxious about what this means for them. We have apologised to patients for any concern that may be caused by this situation. We are committed to supporting patients and are ensuring they have every opportunity to get information about the situation.”

Tweedbank pensioner David Farish was murdered at his home last Thursday in what has been described as a brutal stabbing attack.

The 75-year-old was found dead at his home in Broadlee Bank by police, who had been alerted to the address by an anonymous caller.

After a post mortem on Saturday, it was confirmed that the death was being treated as a murder.

Following an investigation, 68-year-old Richard Cassidy – of no fixed abode – was arrested and charged with murder, and he made his first appearance at Jedburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.

He made no plea or declaration, and he was remanded in custody for further investigation.

His next appearance is expected to be on March 3.