SUPPORTERS of the Scottish Nationalist Party candidate in Selkirkshire's forthcoming byelection have hit out at a vandal attack over the weekend.

John Mitchell, the former depute leader of Scottish Borders Council, is hoping to win enough votes on Thursday for a return to Newtown.

But his campaign suffered a setback on Saturday night when his promotional boards outside his home were ripped out - and then thrown onto the A7.

Neighbour and supporter, Dr Lindsay Neil, told us: "John was in bed when his dog started barking.

"He went out to investigate and found that his garden had been invaded - the two signs he had put up had been ripped out of the ground and both thrown on to A 7.

"This action resulted in a road hazard and could quite easily have caused a disaster on the main road."

A total of seven candidates are vying for the Selkirkshire seat on Thursday.

As well as Mr Mitchell for the SNP, Trevor Adams is standing for the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats are represented by Jack Clark and Barbra Harvie is standing for the Greens.

Both Kenneth Gunn and Caroline Penman are standing on Independent tickets, while Scott Redpath represents Labour.

Votes will be cast throughout Thursday with the results announced the following morning.