NO action is to be taken against two elderly farmers who tried to disrupt a major cycle race taking place on closed roads in the Borders.

Police Scotland charged two men aged 71 and 60 after participants in last September's Tour O The Borders event claimed they were confronted on the roadway by protesters waving sticks.

Cyclists alleged they were hit on the head as they passed the men causing at least one to fall off.

There had been complaints from some landowners over the closure of public roads in the Peeblesshire area and beyond for the 74-mile race when harvesting was underway at many farms.

The Procurator Fiscal's office at Selkirk confirmed this week that following a review of the evidence there would be no legal proceedings in connection with the alleged assault.

The incident was captured on video by a cyclist which showed two men, dressed in tweed and flat caps waving sticks and attempting to block the path of the cyclists on the A701 road near Broughton.

One cyclist said: "I came around the corner, behind the first group of cyclists and I noticed they had all slowed down.

“I could see some weaving around with other cyclists ahead and noticed two older guys around 70 to 80 years old walking on the road.

"I cycled up towards them and noticed they were both holding out big sticks. I asked them what has happened and was there a problem ahead?

"One of them said ‘You are the problem’. I had to stop my bike and then I pushed with my foot to get past them."

Another cyclist said they were hit on the head by sticks as they passed the men.

The behaviour at the time was branded "disgusting" by event organisers and it was claimed one cyclist had to be taken to hospital after falling off his bike.

But this year's Tour O The Borders three weeks ago passed off peacefully with no incidents reported.

Event organiser Neil Dalgleish said: "We had already been involved in extensive consultation with local people to ensure there was minimum inconvenience.

"Some people like to protest just to make a noise.

"This year's event was very successful and we are glad these gentlemen seem to have learned their lesson."