Police have released a closed-circuit TV image of three men they want to trace in connection with an ongoing investigation into an assault in Galashiels seven months ago.

The attack was carried out in the car park outside the town’s Paton Street Tesco store at around 3.20am on Sunday, April 9, leaving a 21-year-old man with what is described a serious leg injury.

Officers have issued a renewed witness appeal following one made at the time.

The first man they want to speak to is described as white with short fair hair, fairly tall and of slim to medium build. He was wearing a khaki-coloured top.

The second man is described as white with short dark hair, also fairly tall and of muscular build. He was wearing a light blue T-shirt.

The third man is described as white with short dark hair and of slim to medium build. He was wearing a long-sleeved, light-coloured shirt.

Detective constable Jordan Sharp, of Galashiels police station’s criminal investigation department, said: “This incident left a man with a serious leg injury, and our inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this continue.

“I’d urge anyone who may recognise the men pictured, or who has any other information which may be able to assist with the investigation, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”

Potential witnesses are asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 0888 of April 9 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A Peebles man will stand trial on a series of motor offences at Selkirk Sheriff Court in the new year.

Sean Mercer, of George Street, is accused of stealing a set of keys from a property in Horsburgh Street, Innerleithen, and driving away a car without the consent of its owner.

The 23-year-old also faces charges of dangerous driving on the A72 Hamilton-Galashiels road and colliding with a tree, driving while unfit through drink or drugs and with no licence and no insurance.

He pleaded not guilty, and a trial date was fixed for February 1, with an intermediate hearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court on January 3.

Mercer was released on bail on condition that he is not permitted to drive a vehicle.

The new £22.5m Kelso High School welcomed pupils for the first time on Tuesday.

Students were piped to the door of the Angraflat Road building to watch birthday pupil Ellis Murray cut a ribbon, alongside with East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, to declare it open.

The Kelso High flag, lowered for the last time at the old school a week before, was then raised by head boy Charlie Graves and head girl Aimee Martin, and its doors then opened to pupils and staff.

Ms Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “This is a significant day for the town of Kelso.

“The new high school will transform education in Kelso and will provide much-improved facilities not only for pupils but, importantly, for the whole community.”

“The previous high school had served the town well since 1939, but there is no doubt the new facility will provide additional benefits.

“I would like to congratulate the council’s project team for their considerable efforts to get the new school completed on time, as well as the local residents and Kelso Races for their co-operation during the works.

“As part of a school estates review, the council will continue to carry out considerable research and consultation so that our children and the wider community can have the best places for learning.”

Facilities at the new school include 3G sports and 2G hockey pitches as well as grass playing fields, a 100-metre sprint track, indoor gym, long-jump pit and netball court.

There’s also an eco-garden pond, space for an orchard, allotment, outdoor classroom and an arts and crafts garden.

Its headteacher of the last two years, Jill Lothian, said she was delighted to see the children making use of the new building.

“Some of them were a bit nervous about the move beforehand, but today they are all just really excited to be in,” she said.

“I wanted them to be part of this today because really it’s what is inside the school that is most important.

“The pride that the town and the young people have within their school is going to allow us to go to a new level.

“We will compete with the rest of Scotland while at the same time remaining true to the Kelso area.”

She hopes to use the school’s newly-available space to set up links with the region’s horticultural and agricultural employers as well as to work more closely with Borders College at Galashiels.

She added: “I’ve been here in my hard hat, cutting the first sod and following progress throughout, but the most exciting thing for me is seeing the children in the classrooms and using the facilities today.”

The school has been funded by the Scottish Government through its Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme, managed by the Scottish Futures Trust.

Able to accommodate up to 780 pupils, it was built by the council in partnership with Hub South East Scotland and contractor Morrison Construction.

It follows the completion of Langlee and Duns primaries in August. Kelso’s Broomlands Primary is due to open in early 2018, and the proposed Jedburgh Intergenerational Community Campus is set to follow by 2020.

Morrison Construction’s operations director, David Wilson, added: “It is a great to be at Kelso High School as pupils and staff enjoy their first day in their new school.

“This new education facility will benefit not only current and future students, but the wider community too.

“It’s also extremely encouraging to know that the project has been able to directly benefit the community, supporting six trainees, eight apprentices and creating 45 new jobs during construction.”

A couple have been accused of stealing alcohol from a Hawick supermarket.

Tracey Groat, 46, and Shaun Trott, 49, both of Beattie Court, Hawick, are charged with stealing four bottles of vodka from Sainsbury’s on August 17 and August 22.

They are also said to have stolen four bottles of brandy and two bottles of vodka later that month.

Not-guilty pleas were entered at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with a trial date set for February 6 and an intermediate hearing on January 8.

Police are appealing for help to catch the culprits responsible for a housebreaking in Kelso at the weekend.

The break-in was carried out between 5pm and 7.15pm on Sunday, November 12, at an address in Broomlands Court.

The suspects forced entry to the property through a bathroom window.

Once inside, they searched the property and stole a four-figure sum of cash.

Inquiries are continuing to trace those responsible, and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Detective constable Bruce Dodds, of Galashiels police station’s community investigation unit, said: “We are eager to hear from anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the Broomlands area on Sunday evening.

“We are conducting a robust investigation to trace those responsible.

“I would ask anyone who knows who is responsible or who saw anyone acting suspiciously to contact police as soon as possible.”

Potential witnesses are asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 3,510 of November 12.

Alternatively, anonymous reports can be made through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

DC Dodds added: “I would remind homeowners to ensure their property is secure, especially during the hours of darkness.”

A Borders artist was left baffled after her painting of a robin redbreast was banned from Facebook apparently for being too sexual.

Jackie Charley, 52, of Ashloaning in Denholm, repeatedly failed to upload to the social media site an image of the bird featured on packs of seasonal greeting cards she was hoping to sell.

Facebook told her the image, along with ones of a stag and squirrel, fell foul of rules banning pornography, saying: “It looks like we didn’t approve your item because we don’t allow the sale of adult items or services, eg, sexual enhancement items or adult videos.”

Jackie was mystified by that decision and has repeatedly asked Facebook for an explanation, but without success so far.

The ban was a blow as she works from home to allow her to care for her husband and relies financially on selling cards via her Bothycrafts page on Facebook.

It has since been lifted, however, due to the furore it sparked, and Facebook has admitted it was a mistake.

A spokesperson for the socia media site said: “Our team processes millions of images each week, and occasionally we incorrectly prohibit content, as happened here.

“We approved Jackie’s post as soon as we became aware of our mistake, and are very sorry for the inconvenience caused.”

The mother of two said: “I still haven’t got to the bottom of it. I can only assume that there is some robot looking at these images rather than a person.

“It makes no sense because I’d uploaded some more funky images on the same day, and I had no problem with them at all.

“It’s very frustrating because I don’t have another job, and I am doing this to generate some income for my family.

“Facebook has allowed some hideous violent pictures to get through, and yet they block these images which are just so, well, benign.

“I am completely mystified. How could these cards be seen as inappropriate in any way? These are lovely pieces of art that I just wanted people to enjoy at Christmas.

“How they could be considered inappropriate or sexual is beyond me.”

The furore has sparked outrage on social media, prompting suggestions that the ban might be down to the use of the word ‘redbreast’, a theory not supported by Jackie as she called the bird ‘robin’ not ‘robin redbreast’ when uploading the images.

She added: “I tried to upload the images five times, but this rejection message kept coming up. I was sure it was a mistake, but it wasn’t.”

Jackie’s cards are now available, for £5.99 for a pack of six, at www.facebook.com/Bothycrafts/posts/1936255106629419

A Kelso man has been remanded in custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court after being accused of attempting to throw a former partner over a first-storey balcony.

Robert Yule, 41, of Maxmill Park, is alleged to have struggled violently with Toni Cowan during an incident last month.

He is also alleged to have breached a non-harassment order by persistently contacting her.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

A trial date has been set for November 30 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

A motor sales executive has been spared a road ban after admitting careless driving on the A68 Edinburgh-Darlington route.

Cameron McNeill, of Loan View, Lauder, was driving a company BMW when he lost control of it and collided with a tree at 1.30am on May 14.

The 27-year-old admitted going too fast for the road conditions.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that he was docked two weeks’ wages and lost his job as a result of the incident but has since gained employment with a Land Rover dealership.

He was fined £450 and had seven penalty points placed on his licence.

McNeill already had three points on his licence, and sheriff Peter Paterson warned him of the consequences if he commits another motoring offence.

A teenager has been accused of assaulting a staff member at a Chinese takeaway.

Declan McFarlane, 19, of Howdenburn Court, Jedburgh, denies punching the man to the head to his severe injury at the Golden River takeaway in the town on October 14.

He further denies charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and assaulting a 15-year-old boy in Howdenburn Court on the same date.

A trial date has been set for February 20 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on January 22.

About 1,000 people lined the streets of Hawick last night, November 15, to welcome the One Show’s rickshaw challenge team back to the town for the first time since its inaugural journey six years ago.

Millions more saw the six-strong team, accompanied by One Show presenter Matt Baker, arrive in Hawick live on the BBC One magazine programme.

Upon arriving at the town’s Tower Mill after a 60-plus-mile ride up from Penrith in Cumbria, via Newcastleton, Baker told the assembled Teries there to greet them: “Honestly, Hawick, you live in a very hilly place, I tell you.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for anybody who’s got a bike around here.”

Dunfermline’s Greg Francis, 18, one of two Scots in the team, added: “It’s been constant hills up and down, but it’s my home country, so, to be fair, it’s amazing, and the views were amazing all day.”

Wednesday’s leg of this year’s 500-mile journey from London to Glasgow took the team past the 390-mile mark, and they are heading north through the Borders today, also taking in Selkirk, Galashiels and Fountainhall en route for Edinburgh tonight.

Following the end of last night’s live broadcast, Baker, 39, spent half an hour chatting to well-wishers and posing for selfies, saying afterwards: “We were really excited to have arrived in Hawick.

“It’s fantastic seeing everyone turn out to welcome Team Rickshaw, and the show of support for BBC Children in Need was a wonderful way to end day seven of our journey.”

Hawick Rugby Club players were drafted in to reveal the mid-week total amassed by the seventh rickshaw ride in aid of BBC Children in Need, it being £1.53m.

Hawick’s Escape Youth Cafe is one of the charity’s many beneficiaries, and representatives of the Havelock Street youth centre were out in force last night to show their gratitude by collecting donations to boost the appeal.

Cafe worker Sian Snowdon last night told us: “It’s been absolutely brilliant tonight, and people have been so generous.

“It’s the second time the rickshaw has come to Hawick, and it’s great to see so many people out again to welcome them.

“We are happy to be out supporting them since they are so good to us.”

Cafe chairman Stuart Marshall, also a councillor for Hawick and Denholm, added: “It was fantastic to see the One Show being broadcast live from Hawick on Wednesday evening.

“The atmosphere at the Heart of Hawick was just amazing, and along with the volunteers of the Escape Youth Cafe, we were asked by the BBC to help support the programme by way of fundraising.

“Some of our volunteers were given Children in Need charity buckets to carry, and some of us, including provost Watson McAteer and his wife Jeanette, went around the huge crowds selling Pudsey Bear merchandise and giving away free flags to the hundreds of youngsters who turned up with their mums and dads.

“Hawick folk were just superb in their generosity for this well-deserving charity, and with an estimated audience of around five million tuning in to this very popular TV show, it was without doubt a terrific way of putting Hawick firmly on the world map.

“We at the Escape Youth Cafe are indebted to Children in Need as they have been a major funder of our organisation for a number of years, so it was nice to be able to give a little support back when they visited our town on Wednesday.”

Last night’s coverage can be seen on catch-up online at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09dy4p1/the-one-show-15112017

Videos of their arrival can also be seen on the Southern Reporter’s Facebook page.

The team are due to conclude their journey in Glasgow tomorrow.

Viewers of the One Show will be able to follow Team Rickshaw’s progress daily, and a real-time update on the youngsters’ progress is available at pudsey.viewranger.com

To support the challenge, you can donate either £5, £10 or £20 by text. To donate £5, text the word TEAM to 70405. To donate £10, text TEAM to 70410. To donate £20, text the word TEAM to 70420. Texts will cost your donation, plus your standard network message charge.

For full terms and conditions, go to bbc.co.uk/pudsey

Proposed new medical tests for taxi drivers in the Borders look set to prove unpopular within the trade.

Scottish Borders Council’s civic government licensing committee will be recommended tomorrow, November 17, to give the go-ahead for drivers to undergo a medical every five years to ensure that they are fit to drive taxis and private-hire cars.

Among the conditions to be checked for will be drug and alcohol dependency, cardiac-related illnesses and sleep disorders.

The council set up a working group to put together a formal policy regulating drivers after guidance was issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and Scottish Government last year.

The aim is that medical rules regulating cabbies are brought into line with those for bus and lorry drivers.

The policy recommends that all drivers aged 45 and over are reassessed every five years and that those aged 65 and over are tested annually.

Brian Hunter, owner of Hunter’s Cabs in Selkirk for the last 15 years, has no problem with the principle behind the proposal – to ensure the safety of passengers – but he believes that it will be unpopular with most drivers as they will have to pay out the estimated £100 cost of the test themselves.

Mr Hunter said: “It won’t affect me personally because I have an HGV licence anyway, and I already need to pay for the test, but I don’t think this will be very popular with the trade.

“Drivers already have to pay to license their car every year and pay for their badge and operating licence, and this is just an added cost on top of that in addition to ongoing maintenance costs

“There is also the issue of the cost of fuel. When you take on a school contract, for example, you have to state a set price up front for the length of that contract, and that doesn’t take into account the fact that fuel prices fluctuate. A lot of drivers will see this as just another extra financial burden.”

A report to tomorrow’s committee meeting at the council’s Newtown headquarters says: “There is a risk that the introduction of this policy will not be well received by the taxi trade and is likely to attract criticism.”

“However, the introduction of a policy on medical assessment is desirable in the interests of ensuring public safety.”

Lives could be lost due to a pilot project drafting in firefighters to help heart attack victims across the Borders being suspended, it is feared.

Officers at Hawick, Lauder and Coldstream fire stations have been involved for the last year in the trial scheme, launched to tackle the hitherto-low survival rate in the region among people suffering cardiac arrests.

Firefighters received specialist training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator use so they could support the overstretched ambulance service during call-outs to emergencies.

However, the Fire Brigades Union has suspended the trial over demands for extra pay for firefighters involved.

That move has been condemned by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and it has released figures showing that firefighters in trials across Scotland have saved dozens of lives since the scheme was launched nationally in November 2015.

The decision was labelled “madness” at a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s Teviot and Liddesdale area locality committee this week.

Members were informed by Hawick fire station manager Russell Bell that, thanks to the scheme, “we have saved a number of lives”.

He expressed anger at the decision and the hope that national negotiations will see the project reinstated.

Mr Bell said: “For many months now, we have been assisting the ambulance service.

“At this particular point in time, this trial has been suspended as national negotiations are going on with regard to the firefighters’ role.

“Locally, we are furious about it. We’re not happy at all and feel very let down, but hopefully we will see this return to us very, very shortly.

“Lauder and Coldstream stations are involved in this trial too, and they feel exactly the same way, but we’re at the behest of national negotiations.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson told Tuesday’s meeting, held at the town’s Tower: “That is shocking. I’m absolutely disgusted. You’ve actually saved lives. Why take it away?

“As a committee, we should write and tell them how strongly we feel about this because if one life is saved because of this, that is enough.”

Fellow ward councillor Watson McAteer agreed, saying: “This is one service we see the benefits of, and it is madness to take it away.

“Anything we need to do to save this service should be done very quickly.”

Steve Gourlay, senior fire and rescue service officer for the Borders, said afterwards: “The out-of-hospital cardiac arrest trials were halted by the Fire Brigades Union.

“Our firefighters had stepped into a new area of rescue, responding quickly and effectively to help save lives.

“In fact, they potentially saved 41 people suffering an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest within the first 12 months of the trials being launched in November 2015.

“Their commitment is outstanding, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fully supports their right to a significantly improved recognition package to reflect this wider role.

“We ask the union to once again enter into discussions that will deliver outcomes that are not only in the best interests of our firefighters but also our communities.”

A spokesman for the union said: “When the scheme was launched, it was meant to be a six-month trial, not a two-year one.

“We were hoping that there would be an offer in terms of increased pay to recompense firefighters for extra responsibility, but the offer never came.

“Fire crews have engaged fully in this scheme for two years and helped save several lives despite cuts which have seen 500 firefighters posts go.”

A Hawick pub has proved its lavatories are a far cry from bog standard by claiming the highest accolade available at the 2017 Loo of the Year Awards.

The Bourtree has been awarded a platinum star rating by inspectors, their top grading, for its toilets.

The awards, now in their 30th year, are aimed at highlighting and improving the standards of away-from-home toilets, and inspectors make unannounced visits to thousands of toilets across the UK, to judge them.

Toilets are graded from bronze up to platinum, with unacceptable toilets not getting any grading at all.

The platinum rating is given only to toilets deemed exceptional on criteria including decor, maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility, hand-washing and drying equipment and overall management.

Kristofor Mooney, manager of the Bourtree Place pub, part of the JD Wetherspoon chain, said: “We are delighted with the award.

“Staff at the pub ensure the toilets are in first-class condition at all times, and it is great that this has been recognised by the inspectors.”

Loo of the Year Awards managing director Mike Bone added: “The toilets at the Bourtree have been designed and fitted out to a very high standard and are both clean and well maintained.

“The pub richly deserves its platinum award, the highest individual award the judges can deliver.”

The Bourtree, opened in 2011 in the old Hawick Conservative Club, built in 1897, is one of three pubs Hertfordshire-based JD Wetherspoon the chain runs in the Borders, the others being the Hunters Hall in Galashiels and the Cross Keys in Peebles.

The former was given a platinum star rating at last year’s Loo of the Year Awards.

A knitwear firm founded in Hawick over 200 years ago has announced a loss of £4.9m for the year up to the end of January.

Pringle of Scotland has now been running at a loss for 11 consecutive years, and parent company Pringle Enterprises had to inject another £5m into the business in 2017.

Pringle started out in Hawick in 1815 and grew to become one of the most iconic luxury knitwear brands in the world.

The company closed its manufacturing plant in Hawick in 2008, following on from its takeover eight years previously by Hong Kong-based SC Fang and Sons, and production was moved overseas, in large part to northern Italy.

However, its famous woollen jumpers, favoured by generations of golfers including Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie, as well as celebrities such as Madonna and Scarlett Johannson, are still branded as Pringle of Scotland and the company continues to run a retail outlet in Hawick’s Victoria Road.

Accounts show sales rose 16% to just over £5m last year although the cost of sales also rose 35% to £2.3m, leaving a gross profit of £2.7m.

Administrative expenses, though down by more than 2% on the prior year, still outstripped total sales at £7.5m, resulting in an operating loss of just under £4.9m.

A company spokesman said the continued losses are the result of global brand investment and the directors do not envisage the firm reporting an operating profit “in the short term”.

The spokesman said the company was “satisfied” with the progress of the brand’s development, saying it is “in line with long-term strategic objectives”.

Pringle of Scotland employed 60 staff in the year to January 2017, down from 62 the prior year.

The company was founded by Robert Pringle in Hawick in 1815, initially producing hosiery and underwear, though it moved on to manufacturing the cashmere products it is now best known for in the 1870s.

Pringle of Scotland, awarded a royal warrant by Queen Elizabeth II in 1956, was acquired by Joseph Dawson (Holdings), later renamed Dawson International, in 1967, before being sold on to SC Fang and Sons 17 years ago.

It’s the end of an era for Hawick Common Riding’s organising committee now five members with almost 130 years of service between them have called it a day.

The decision of the members to stand aside means the committee is now on the lookout for new recruits to step into the breach.

Those making an exit are ex-cornet John Hope, with 20 years’ service to his name; ex-acting father Lawrence Marshall, also a member for 20 years; George Linton, leaving after 27 years; and councillors George Turnbull and Stuart Marshall, bowing out after 40 years and 20 years respectively. They tendered their resignations at the committee’s latest annual meeting.

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Mr Turnbull said: “I have seen first hand the highs and lows and the workings of this organisation, which is made up of willing volunteers who have given so much to the town of Hawick.

“To the best of their abilities, they work tirelessly to ensure that year after year the common riding goes as well as can be expected under very difficult circumstances and with the many challenges that are associated with organising such a major event.

“The time is right for me to make way for new blood on the committee and hopefully with enthusiasm to carry forward the various projects and tackle the new challenges that await this organisation.

“It has been a privilege to have served continuously for 40 years and to have seen so many changes over that period. I wish Hawick Common Riding committee every success for the future.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Mr Marshall said: “I would encourage anyone with some spare time to get involved in this great organisation. Our common riding is a precious part of the very fabric of our town, and whilst I will be sad to go, I do take with me some great memories.

“It’s a decision that I have mulled over now for some considerable time, and I think that after 20 years’ continuous service it is now time to make way for some new faces to come on board.”

In letters of resignation read out at the AGM, Mr Hope said he had enjoyed every minute of his time on the committee, the other Mr Marshall said his decision was not taken lightly and Mr Linton said it was time for the committee to move forward.

Committee chairman Cameron Knox thanked the five members for their service over the years, saying: “Among them, these five members have given almost 130 years of service to the common riding committee, and we are totally indebted to them for their service. They are a walking encyclopaedia of all things common riding.

“They all have our common riding at heart and are only a phone call away for any advice required.

“Going forward, by stepping down, these gentlemen have opened the way for new blood to join the committee.”

Motorists in Selkirk town centre have been warned they face tough action if they ignore no-parking zones.

Drivers and pedestrians are facing major disruption in the coming weeks due to ongoing roadworks and the parking restrictions that come with them.

Community police constable Conal McEwan, speaking at a meeting of Selkirk Community Council this week, made a plea for the public to park responsibly or face the consequences.

He warned that no-parking zones that include High Street, Back Row, Bleachfield Road and Raeburn Lane should not be ignored.

PC McEwan said: “I’ve been talking to quite a few people on the street and one or two have been left scratching their head over where they are going to park.

“These restrictions will not stop people loading or unloading if they are going to a place of work.

“However, it doesn’t include going to unload some of their change for a roll or a pie at Cameron’s.

“There is severe disruption in the town as a result of these works, and the problem is that people are being lazy.

“They will park where they want to park, not where they should park.

“They should be warned that this is a no-parking zone during the period of the roadworks and if a car is causing an unnecessary obstruction, we have the power to remove it from the road surface.”

PC McEwan has encouraged the public to report a vehicle if they consider it to be dangerously parked, adding: “If you are in the town centre and you see bad parking, and you think it is a danger you have every right to phone it in on 101, or if you think it is really dangerous, then ring 999.”

Selkirk independent councillor Gordon Edgar called on the public to contact council chief executive Tracey Logan with their parking concerns. Mr Edgar has been calling for the council to introduce a decriminalised parking system across the Borders for years, but his requests have fallen on deaf ears.

Studying medicine and dentistry will make you the richest after university with graduates earning an average of £46,700 according to new research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

The analysis by the IFS, commissioned by the BBC, looked at the annual earnings of graduates by subject, five years after graduating.

Those studying medicine and dentistry, economics, mathematics, veterinary science and engineering and technology were revealed to be the top earners post university with all earning over £30,000 a year on average.

Not all subjects were revealed to be as lucrative for graduates though with those studying the arts and design earning the least with an average of £20,100 a year.

Graduates in agriculture studies were also only likely to take home an average of £22,000.

Mass communication graduates were likely to earn an average of just £22,300.

Speaking in a comment piece for the BBC Dr Jack Britton from the IFS said: “The big decision about what to study at university can be very important for future earnings.

“Five years after graduation, the income gap between students who studied the subjects that attract the highest and lowest salaries can be considerable.

“Crucially, these differences are smaller, but remain significant, even when students with similar A-level grades are compared.

Dr Britton added, “As careers progress the gaps get bigger, with graduates of the high-earning subjects pulling even further away.”

The study also found how graduates from the 24 Russell Group universities (which includes London School of Economics, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge) earn about 40 per cent more than graduates from other universities. This is an average of £33,500.

The gender divide was also apparent in the research which found that overall male graduates earn more than female graduates.

Roxburgh Street in Kelso is to reopen to traffic tonight, November 17, after being shut for almost two months.

Progress made on repairs to a building deemed to be in dangerous condition has enabled the street to reopen ahead of schedule.

A structural engineer inspected the site yesterday and gave the go-ahead for some scaffolding to be removed and vehicles to return to the road.

Once Roxburgh Street has reopened, the one-way order applying to Union Street will be restored and traffic will return to normal.

Some scaffolding will remain in place on the site to allow contractors to complete the repairs needed to stabilise the privately-owned building further. Those works are expected to be finished by Christmas.

“All local shops, businesses and residents are thanked for their patience during the Roxburgh Street closure,” said a spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council.

“The timing of the road opening this evening will be confirmed on social media.”

The road was closed to traffic and pedestrians on Friday, September 22, after inspections revealed how dangerous a condition the building was in.

Pedestrian access was restored on Friday, October 6, after the removal of a dangerous chimney, but cars remained banned.

On Friday, October 27, contractors estimated it would take a further six weeks at least until repairs were completed and Roxburgh Street could reopen to traffic.

However, those works have been completed three weeks ahead of schedule, allowing the street to reopen in plenty of time for the Christmas shopping season.

Signs were put up during the closure to remind people that shops there were still open for business.

A bid to create a tourism-based business improvement district (BID) project in the Tweed Valley has taken a step forward.

The Tweed Valley Tourist Consortium’s application for initial seed-corn funding from the Scottish Government has been given the thumbs-up, enabling it to press ahead with its proposal to set up a BID.

Scottish Borders Council has also offered matched funding for this development phase of the project.

“This initial funding means that we can now really get started on the project,” said Catherine Maxwell Stuart, chairperson of the BID team.

“When we applied for funding in the summer, we saw excellent support from local tourism businesses, all of whom recognise this as a means of securing a consistent level of funding to resource a targeted and effective tourism business plan for the Tweed Valley.”

Vice-chairperson Neil Dalgleish added: “It’s an exciting prospect. We have an opportunity to do something bold, innovative and unique here which could dramatically transform the tourism offer and industry in the Tweed Valley.”

“This project could help take the Tweed Valley to a totally new level of visibility and success.”

If approved, the plans would enable the council to collect a compulsory levy to invest in the district.

The BID steering group will now spend the rest of this year planning the development phase, including bringing on board a project manager to begin work early in 2018 on developing a business plan.

The Tweed Valley has seen significant growth in tourism over the past 15 years, with the rise of mountain biking and other cycling playing a crucial role in attracting more visitors.

Two bikes were stolen from a garage in Longhope Drive in Hawick at the weekend.

The bicycles were taken between 10.30 am on Saturday, November 18, and the same time the day after.

Police are appealing for information on their whereabouts.

Constable Scott McDonald, of Hawick police station, said: “We are keen to speak to anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area of Longhope Drive at the weekend.

“I would also like to remind all residents to be especially vigilant about their property, keeping their premises properly locked and secured at all times.”

Potential witnesses are asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 1,496 of November 19.