STAFF at Barony Castle Hotel have opened a new chapter this week.

A community support project to help local primary schools was launched at the start of the year.

And on Monday the first recipients of the scheme, pupils at Halyrude Primary in Peebles, collected £150 worth of new books for their library.

Karen Jaques and Emma Smith from Barony Castle handed over the paperbacks and hardbacks to excited pupils.

And they have promised to continue supporting schools across the area for the rest of the year.

Karen, who is a sales and marketing consultant at the 72-bedroom hotel, told us: "We contacted six schools in the area to offer funds to buy resources of their choice.

"These choices are now being delivered and will continue to be delivered throughout the year.

"Barony Castle will continue to support the six schools throughout they year with around £150 of funding each quarter."

Eddleston Primary is to receive around £150 worth of CDs and musical equipment in the coming weeks.

And St Ronan's is to receive financial support towards buying new stage lighting.

The Barony Castle has already helped with the costs of bringing a professional pantomime company to perform and take classes in West Linton primary.

Maintenance staff from the hotel are about to descend on Kingsland Primary to create raised flower beds in the playground.

And the scheme will help supply garden equipment to Priorsford.

Karen added: "It's fantastic that, as a local business, we can give something back to the community."