THERE were no wee, sleekit, cowran, tim'rous beasties on show last Thursday as the hugely successful Peebles Callants’ Club Star O’ Burns Poetry Competition burst into life at Kingsland Primary.

Yet again poetic pupils from the town's three primary schools excelled in their recitals.

But there can only be one school that takes the coveted trophy home - and for a third year in a row it was Kingsland.

A total of six pupils from each of the primary schools took part in front of parents, friends and expert judges.

The works of Rabbie Burns were exquisitely brought to life by the talented performers.

Kenny Wilson from the Peebles Callants' Club told us: "As they took to the stage it was clear that a great deal of hard work had taken place, as a variety of poems were presented to a very high standard.

"Great credit is due to pupils, teachers and parents for an excellent evening which gave the three judges, Chief Callant Craig Lusk and Callants Hendry White and Andrew Williamson, an extremely difficult task in separating the competitors."

MC for the evening Kenny Howitt reminded the competitors and audience of how the individual scores of each performer counted towards the overall competition result.

The mathematical expertise of Club President Sandy Craig, ably assisted by Dougie Millar, collated the individual scores to eventually declare Kingsland as winners with Halyrude in second and Priorsford third.

Individually, Fara Mitchell of Halyrude Primary won the Primary 3/4 competition ahead of Charlie Davidson from Kingsland and Halyrude's Elena Christie.

The judges couldn't separate Kingsland duo Ruby MacLean and Macy Balfour in the Primary 5/6 competition with Priorsford's Reece Holmes and Halyrude's Caitlin Kane in joint second.

Amelia Griffiths from Kingsland was named the winner of the Primary 7 competition.

Callum McRobert from Priorsford was second with Katy Blackwood of Kingsland in third.

Mr Wilson added: "Congratulations to all the competitors who entertained and impressed the audience of some 60 family members and friends and to Kingsland for their third consecutive win."