A NEW generation of Bards took to the stage last week for the annual Star o' Rabbie Burns poetry competition.

A total of 18 pupils from the three primary schools in Peebles took part in the annual celebration which is organised by the Callants Club.

And more than 60 proud parents, siblings and friends packed into Halyrude Primary to soak up the stanzas.

Chief Callant Craig Lusk was joined by John Falla and Hendry Whyte in the judges' booth.

And they stuck manfully to their difficult task in sorting through the super recitations to announce the winners of each section.

All of the pupils who took to the stage had won their own school competitions to qualify for the finals - and the competition was fierce.

The P3-P4 winner was Priorsford's Lewis George with Macey MacKenzie from Kingsland and Halyrude's Ella Newton being awarded second and third places, respectively.

The P5-P6 competition was every bit as close with Ruby Mclean from Kingsland eventually being declared the winner.

Halyrude's Neve Scott was runner-up with Priorsford pupils Ayla Russell and Rory Clark taking joint third.

The thrilling hour of recitals concluded with the Primary 7 pupils.

Following another nail-biting wait, it was Priorsford's Euan Macleod who was crowned the winner.

Kingsland's Alexandra Crichton was joint second with Ruby Thornley from Priorsford, and Jess Towse from Halyrude collected third.

Following the word-perfect presentations and a few dramatic performances, master of ceremonies Kenny Howitt congratulated all of the competitors.

Mr Howitt said: "All of the children here tonight are already winners in their own school competitions and the standard was excellent."

After a tally up it was Kingsland Primary who were declared as the Star o' Rabbie Burns champions for 2017.

All of the winners received medals and certificates.

Mr Howitt added: "I would like to thanks everyone at Halyrude Primary for providing the venue and refreshments."

>