A PLANNED sculpture of Olympic hero Scott Brash is striding towards completion with a major cash boost this week.

Community group Bonnie Peebles are currently fundraising to erect the three-metre high statue of the Olympic hero aboard Hello Sanctos on ground next to Edinburgh Road.

The penultimate fence was cleared earlier this year when planning permission was granted for the statue.

And this week award-winning spa resort Stobo Castle has pledged to provide £10,000 towards the costs.

Avril Murray from Bonnie Peebles told the Peeblesshire News: "We are delighted to be given a pledge of £10,000 by Stobo Castle in support of our Scott Brash Sculpture project.

"This will be a magnificent addition to our funds.

"We have been busy planting our flower beds and at the same time trying to raise the funds needed for our Scott Brash Sculpture.

"This pledge has given our committee such a boost - we can only thank Stephen Winyard, owner of Stobo Castle, for his generosity in supporting local causes."

The three-dimensional sculpture of Scott Brash will be made of recycled horse shoes.

Blacksmith Kevin Paxton will galvanise and acid-wash the metal to give the piece an aged look.

Bonnie Peebles, who were formed in 2006, have been fundraising for the sculpture since last year.

And they have vowed to honour organisations and businesses who contribute to the fund by including them in a roll of honour to be buried in a time-capsule beneath the sculpture.

Bonnie Peebles secretary Margaret Wightman said: "This project is to recognise the amazing achievements of local lad Scott Brash who has gone on to be world number one showjumper.

"We are excited to have this idea for public art for all to enjoy and delighted with the design by Kevin Paxton, blacksmith."

A plaque, with the inscription 'In recognition of Scott Brash and his achievements as a World class showjumper', will be placed on the statue's concrete base.

This week's contribution from Stobo Castle takes the project within touching distance of hitting the fundraising target.

Jenni Watts, marketing director at the Stobo Castle spa resort, told us: “As a business, Stobo Castle takes great pleasure in helping many local charities and good causes and we were only too happy to assist with the fundraising for an incredibly well-deserved sculpture of Scott Brash.

"The project will not only acknowledge Scott’s remarkable achievements to date, but provide an additional attraction for tourists visiting the area.”