IT is now even easier for Tweeddale residents to get out and about, thanks to a local group.

Old and New Horizons is arranging a series of day trips in the community minibus to give people the chance to meet up and visit new places.

Each year the outings are run from March to November and they have become known locally as the 'wee bus'.

Jim Murdoch from the group told us: "For many years now Old and New Horizons has been arranging a series of day-trips.

"Many know all about these, but we want to describe these for anyone new to Peebles.

"The minibus seats 14 passengers, and is driven by a trained and qualified volunteer driver. An escort, who can be contacted by mobile phone, also travels on each trip," he added.

"Most of the day-trips give the passengers a couple of hours at a destination like Stirling, North Berwick, or Callander.

"The trips for the whole season can be booked through the Bridge offices in School Brae and are very popular so you have to be quick."

A number of outings have also been announced for later this year.

Jim added: "The minibus picks travellers up at their own home in the Peebles area as well as Innerleithen and Walkerburn, between 9 and 10 am.

"Passengers are given an approximate pick-up time on a reminder card delivered to them a few days before each trip. They are then dropped off back to their own homes usually between 4 and 5 pm.

"The cost of each trip (usually between £7 and £10) is based on the distance travelled."

Upcoming trips:

Kirkcaldy on March 16; Carlisle on March 29; Dobbies on April 11; Berwick- upon-Tweed on April 20; Moffat on May 11; Alnwick Castle/Garden option on May 23; North Berwick on June 8; Livingston/Linlithgow option on June 28; mystery tour on July 11; Callander on July 26; St Andrews on August 8; Forth Bridges tour on August 24; Melrose/Abbotsford on September 6; mystery tour on September 21; Stirling City/Castle option on October 10; Dunfermline on October 26; Glasgow Fort shopping centre on November 23 and Dobbies on November 29.

Bookings for the trips open at 10am on Thursday, March 2 at the Bridge offices on School Brae. Alternatively, you can call 01721 723123.