A BONFIRE is set to return to ring in the New Year, and a popular Biggaronian is set to light it.

Preparations started for the annual Biggar Bonfire on December 1 and it has been revealed that 77-year-old Jimmy Masterton from Biggar, will be lighting this year's build at 9.30pm tonight (Saturday, December 31, 2016).

He told the Peeblesshire News: "It is an absolute honour to be lighting the Biggar Bonfire, and I'm hoping to do the town proud as we carry on this tradition.

"I was picked to do it this year after the Biggar Cornets opened the vote for folk to pick who they wanted to light the fire. 

"I retired around ten years ago, but since gone through some ill health, so it will be great to stand there on the night as a proud Biggaronian and start the bonfire off.

"My family and friends will be coming along on the night for some well deserved drinks, and I'm looking forward to playing my part in the Hogmanay festivities."

Now retired, Jimmy started his carer in 1954 as a builder and roofer, and also moved into plastering work along the years.

He added: "I started off and worked in the family business with my father, and he did with his father. I've lost track of how much I've worked on, but I've done plenty of work in the area."

Hogmanay's roots reach back to the practice of sun and fire worship in the deep mid-Winter.

This evolved into the ancient Saturnalia, a great Roman Winter festival, where people celebrated completely free of restraint and inhibition. The Vikings celebrated Yule, which became the twelve days of Christmas, or the "Daft Days" as they became known in Scotland. 

The Winter festival went underground with the Reformation and ensuing years, but re-emerged at the end of the 17th Century.

Since then the customs have continued to evolve to the modern day.