Up to £280,000 has been spent on improving flood defence protection for almost 40 homes and businesses in Peebles.

After several areas of the town were damaged by Storm Frank in December 2015, the Scottish Government allocated £2.4 million to deal with the aftermath of the winter floods.

From this funding, the council created the Peebles Property Level Protection Scheme (PLVP) which has now resulted in 37 homes affected by Storm Frank receiving; flood doors or barriers, self-closing airbricks, sump pumps and non-return values.

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Work is also underway on a flood study as detailed in the Tweed Local Flood Risk Management Plan (LFRMP) 2016-2022, which will focus on Peebles, Innerleithen and Broughton.

Cllr Gordon Edgar said: "Storm Frank was a traumatic experience for many residents in the Tweed Green, Tweed Avenue and Walkershaugh area of Peebles, with the flooding some of the worst ever seen in the town.

"Huge damage was caused but the Property Level Protection Scheme will increase the resilience of these properties allowing them to recover more quickly from future flood events.

"A resilient communities group was recently formed in Peebles and we have provided similar equipment to the group's volunteers so if a flooding emergency occurs again, the community can work together and help each other out."

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham added: "Storm Frank caused devastation across the country so I am pleased that Scottish Government funding will help properties in the Borders recover from the impact of these floods and make them better prepared for the future."

(LM)