More than £1 million could be generated for the Borders economy each year thanks to a new eco-cabin development at Glentress Forest.

Forestry Commission Scotland has teamed up with Forest Holidays to deliver the £11.3m scheme at Glentress.

The organisation said the development, which includes creating 56 secluded eco-cabins, new biking trails and a walking route, has the potential to generate an extra £1m into the local economy each year and employ up to 60 people.

Forest Holidays is providing £10m for the scheme, with the remaining £1.3m from Forest Enterprise Scotland.

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The combined attractions are part of the Glentress Masterplan project. Two pre-planning applications for the cabins and the trails are to be submitted to Scottish Borders Council and will be subject to further local consultation.

Bruce McKendrick, Chief Executive Officer of Forest Holidays, said: "Our cabin locations are planned with great care and sensitivity, we work closely in partnership with local businesses and community groups and we very much look forward to building relationships with local people both during the next steps of consultation and in the longer term."

Hugh McKay, Recreation and Tourism Manager with Forest Enterprise Scotland added: "We've worked very hard over the past two years in consulting stakeholders on these progressive plans and we're thrilled to see it all taking another step forward.

"As part of the planning process, we'll be working with Forest Holidays to gather more views and explain the proposals in finer detail over the coming months. It is a very exciting time for Glentress and the Tweed Valley."

(LM/MH)