A PUBLIC vote will be held next month, to decide which community projects should get a share of council cash.

The £500,000 Localities Bid Fund has been split between five areas in the Borders, with a total of £208,000 up for grabs during this first phase.

And now its down to locals to decide where the money should go.

In Cheviot, three projects will battle it out for a share of £35,000; £60,000 is available in Eildon, where 17 ideas will go before the public; while Teviot and Liddesdale residents have to decide which of the 14 projects in their area deserve funding from a pot of £38,000.

People in Berwickshire will choose between 11 projects, with £45,000 available.

And 17 projects will also compete for £30,000 in Tweeddale.

Councillor Sandy Aitchison, executive member for neighbourhoods and locality services said: “We’re now getting to the business end of the Localities Bid Fund. 

“It’s an exciting new funding stream and it’s down to the people of the Borders to choose who gets the money.

“When the voting opens next month I’d encourage as many people as possible to shout loudest for their favourite projects and register their votes.”

Voting will take place throughout February online, in person at a designated ballot box, or by getting a ballot paper sent out and returning it to the council by freepost.

The successful bids will be announced in March.

Visit http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/LocalitiesBidFund for more information.