More than £1 million is to be invested to repair a historic landmark in Selkirk.

The Auld Kirk ruin has been identified as a priority repair project in the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS).

At the end of 2017, a small area of the building collapsed and for safety reasons the structure was closed to the public. Specialist contractors have now been appointed to rebuild this area, as well as other areas needing urgent repair.

Traditional hot lime mortar will be used to point the walls and self-seeding foliage around the walls will also be removed. A separate package of works to re-erect some of the headstones within the graveyard is being investigated by the Kirk O’ The Forest Heritage Group.

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Funding for the works has been provided by Historic Environment Scotland (£795,000) and the council (£215,000).

Selkirk CARS Project Officer Colin Gilmour said: "With Selkirk CARS drawing to a close it is great to see so much activity in the town with repairs and improvements to many historic buildings which will secure them for many years to come.

"The repairs to the Auld Kirk have long been a priority for the programme and it is wonderful to finally see the hard work of many people bear fruit.

"The impact of the repairs to the Auld Kirk is even more satisfying as the package of works will hopefully allow the gates to the ruin to be reopened, providing both members of the local community and tourists safe access to this historic site."

(LM/MH)