A LOCAL charity has been given a £200 early Christmas gift.

Home Basics, which has a base in Walkerburn, was granted the cheque from the TSB branches in Galashiels and Hawick to help continue its work.

The organisation, which also has a branch in Hawick, provides low income households with discounted furniture and white goods – operating two vans for its pick-up and drop-off service.

Bank managers Craig Gilfether and Barry Johnston, presented the cheque to the charity's business manager Dennis Fisher at an event last week.

A spokesperson for Home Basics said: "Craig and Barry are also keen on helping to promote Home Basics in their branches and putting in some volunteering hours.

"Needless to say Home Basics is looking forward to their new partnership with the TSB in the coming year."