Over 500,000 passengers have used the Borders Railway, it has been announced.

The milestone puts the service 20% ahead of its forecast, with passenger numbers anticipated to grow throughout the rest of the year.

The £353 million railway, which runs from Edinburgh to Galashiels and Tweedbank, was opened in September last year.

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With seven new stations, four in Midlothian and three in the Scottish Borders, the route is the longest new domestic railway to be built in the UK for over 100 years.

Phil Verster, MD of the ScotRail Alliance, said: "We are less than five months into delivering the new Borders services and it’s clear that the Borders Railway is a huge success story for Scotland and for the rail industry."

Transport Minister Derek Mackay added: "The Scottish Government has a commitment to provide reliable and affordable public transport links, to boost economic growth. The Borders Railway is a key example of how this translates into tangible benefits to our regions."

(LM)