Plans have been approved for a new 3G community sports pitch in Melrose.

Work is expected to get underway in July and the facility is due to open in November 2019.

The project – which is led by the Scottish Borders Council and Melrose Rugby with support from Scottish Rugby – will now hold a drop-in session at the Greenyards on Tuesday 11 June at 6pm to 8pm to allow local people, sports clubs and community groups to look at the plans in more detail before work begins.

The pitch plans, which will include new floodlighting and a spectator walkway, are fully expected to result in a considerable increase in sports participation at all levels.

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The facility will also assist Melrose Rugby with its aims of becoming more community focused and sustaining its long term future.

The club has already carried out consultation with the community and stakeholders such as the Scottish Football Association, charity Live Borders, local schools, sports clubs and traders, who have been supportive of the 3G project.

The Greenyards pitch is owned by the Ormiston Trust, which is made up of the three Leaderdale and Melrose ward Councillors who are part of Scottish Borders Council.

Councillor David Parker said: "I am delighted that we have been able to reach a point where we can invest in the next 3G pitch in the Scottish Borders in Melrose.

"The Council has a proud track record of delivering community synthetic pitches across the Scottish Borders and the Melrose proposal will make a significant difference to sports clubs in the town. It will enhance football and rugby and give many generations of young people access to a first class sporting facility."