A FORMER UK Prime Minister made sure to visit a popular Peebles butchers during her visit to the town.

Maidenhead MP Theresa May, who was Prime Minister from 2016 to 2019, was in the Borders town for a round table conference with Scottish businesspeople at Peebles Hydro when she visited Forsyths of Peebles butchers on Eastgate.

Making the most of her break from the business event, Lady May was joined by Peeblesshire MP David Mundell - who was chairing the round table event - on Thursday, January 18.

Run by Mike and Callum Forsyth, the butchers welcomed Lady May as she shopped for a Burns Night haggis.

Louise Forsyth, who had been a delegate at the business round table, said: "We really enjoyed welcoming Lady May to Forsyths, delighted to supply her with a haggis and were pleased that she took the time to engage with us, taking on board the challenges local businesses are facing.”

One passer-by commented: “I wondered what all the fuss was about and had to do a double-take when I saw Theresa May heading into the butchers with David.”

Lady May had just returned to the UK after taking part in a speaking engagement at the World Economic Forum in Davos when she made the journey to Peebles.

Joining Lady May and Mr Mundell at Peebles Hydro were representatives from agriculture, tourism, retail and other business sectors.

Also in attendance was Peebles and Crieff Hydro chief executive Stephen Leckie.

On the round table event Mr Mundell, who represents Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale for the Conservatives, said: “It was a very constructive discussion and I know Theresa, with her interest in business and the economy, appreciated hearing the views and experiences outlined.

“Indeed, some of the feedback mirrors what she is hearing from the business community in her own south of England constituency. They include points we will both highlight to colleagues at Westminster.

“I’d like to thank Stephen Leckie and his team at Peebles Hydro for all they did to facilitate this event.”