CROWDS flocked to Innerleithen's Memorial Hall on Friday night eagerly awaiting the announcement of this year's principals.

And on to the stage to a sea of applause came 2016's St Ronan's Standard Bearer Ross Brown, his Lass Faye Nicholson, and Principal Guest Gen Harrison.

Twenty-two year old Ross breathed a sigh of relief after the big reveal, explaining that the secret of his appointment has been extremely hard to keep from everybody for all these months.

The ex-Peebles High and St Ronan's primary pupil has always been involved in the town's Games Week, and was described by Chairman Keith Belleville as 'Innerleithen through and through.'

Ross said: "I was Dux Boy in 2005 and have always played in the pipe band during the games, so having been involved from such an early age its a great honour to have been appointed to represent the town this year."

Read the full article on your St Ronan's Standard Bearer, his Lass, and the Principal Guest - along with a full picture spread of Friday's celebrations - in this week's Peeblesshire News.