MORE than 1,000 people are expected to descend on Peebles this Hogmanay for a magical procession of fire.

After an appeal on the front page of Peeblesshire News last month, local companies and individuals brought the Peebles Hogmanay Torchlight Procession back from the brink of cancellation, and it’s now set to burn brighter than ever.

Neil Dalgleish, organiser of Peebles-based company Hillside Outside said: “The response of so many people to keep the event alive was truly inspiring.

“Now we really hope there’s a big turn-out this year, which would make sure it happened next year too.”

Thanks to donations from local companies, the High Street will have a real family party atmosphere before the procession starts, with a DJ, a better sound system and additional lighting.

Neil added: “Having a fun atmosphere in the build-up will be fantastic.

“We hope people get there in time to enjoy it all, with DJ Layla getting everyone rocking from 5.30pm.

“Pipers will lead us all out, and there will be a food stall on the street – we’re hoping local cafes can stay open until 6.30pm too.”

To take part, vouchers are available in advance from www.peeblestorchlight.com or in person from The Super Store, Northgate.

The procession itself starts soon after 6pm on Sunday evening, with torch vouchers exchanged for the torches at the pop-up ‘Torchlight Shop’ at the Old Corn Exchange shop (top of School Brae) on the High Street, from noon.

A limited number of torches will be available to buy on the day too.

Neil added: “We hope it’s going to be a wonderful and beautiful finish to 2017.

“This is an amazing and unique community, which has again come together to make something very special happen.

“We would like to thank local businesses; Holland & Sherry, Stobo Castle, Harrisons, Tontine Hotel, Brown Brothers, David Duthie, Cringletie Hotel, Evolution Bottling & Packaging Solutions, Tweeddale Rovers, Tait & Mapp Roofing, Sainsbury’s, Graham McGrath, Blackwood & Smith, Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe Band, David Mitchell Decorators, Stardust Musical Theatre, Barony Castle, Tower Communications, The Park Hotel, Peebles Hydro, Thomson Gray, Renwick & Weir, PLS Medical Ltd, The Super Store, PLS Medical, Peebles Golf Club and Elmbank Printers.”

Road closures are being kept to a minimum, with the High Street closed from 5.30pm until 7.30pm at the latest.

And a short halt for traffic while the procession closes Tweed Bridge at 6.30pm.