TWO Borders rugby stars made a special appearance at the re-opening Peebles Nursing Home last Friday.

Rugby legends Doddie Weir and Gary Armstrong formally opened the building on Tweed Green, which was ravaged by floods by Storm Frank at the turn of 2016.

The well-attended event served as an opportunity for those invited to have a look around the home and explore the new and improved features, following a 20-month refurbishment.

To commemorate the special day, Doddie and Gary unveiled a new Peebles Care Home plaque outside the building, along with home owner Andrew Hume.

Speaking after the ceremony, Doddie said: “The support that Peebles Care Home has within the community is unbelievable. It is something very special for Gary and I to be invited here to open what is a very nice care home and we wish Andrew and his team a continued success."

After the re-opening, Home Owner Andrew Hume said: "The flood gave us the opportunity to rebuild the place. We thought about it and with the help of the local architect, David Farmer and TRS (Total Reinstatement Services), we’ve managed to produce an absolutely stunning, beautiful home for the people of Peebles.

"A special thank you to Jane and the staff and all the people that have helped out. One thing about Peebles is that there is a community spirit of the Borders people. It has just been wonderful to see how people can pull together.

"Lastly, and most importantly, I want to thank the residents and their relatives who have put up with us and the move. I do thank them very much for their patience and understanding. We are home now and I hope you enjoy what we’ve got."

Manager Jane Rogers told the Peeblesshire News: "The home's official re-opening was a fabulous success and a very happy occasion for all.

"We had a harpist perform in the afternoon and enjoyed sharing a glass of celebratory fizz with our residents and their relatives, and numerous others who took the time to come and formally welcome us back home to Peebles.

"We were also joined by a large number of people who had been involved in the rebuilding of the home, including William Hannigan from Total Reinstatement Services, who is, quite rightly so, very proud of the work he and his colleagues have done to rebuild the property and make it as flood-proof as possible."