SERVING up safety in the region's bars, hotels and clubs was celebrated last week at the annual Best Bar None awards.

And for 2017, a record number of premises were rewarded for their commitment to making a night out that little bit better.

A total of 23 local licensed premises, from Eddleston to Eyemouth, were presented with awards at a ceremony in the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in St Boswells.

Councillor Watson McAteer, who chairs the Police, Fire and Rescue and Safer Communities Board, said: “The continued success of the Best Bar None Awards is good news for our communities, particularly the number of new or returning premises in 2017 from across the Scottish Borders.

"These premises take customer care and safety seriously, which is important for the public to know so they can enjoy a safe night out.

"I congratulate all of our local winners and wish both the Queens Head and the Waggon the best of luck in the national finals later this month.”

The recipients of 2017 awards include 11 premises which have either entered Best Bar None for the first time, or have returned after an absence last year.

This year’s Gold winners are Barony Castle Hotel (Eddleston), The Carters Rest (Jedburgh), The Cobbles (Kelso), The Cross Keys (Peebles), Union Club (Innerleithen), Liddesdale Hotel (Newcastleton), Macdonald Cardrona Hotel (Peebles), Melrose Rugby Club, The Plough Hotel (Yetholm), Queens Head Hotel (Kelso), Waggon Inn (Kelso), and Warehouse (Galashiels).

The Silver award winners area The Bourtree (Hawick), The Bridge Inn (Peebles), Buccleuch Arms (St Boswells) and Oblo (Eyemouth).

And collecting Bronze awards are the Black Swan (Kelso), The Forresters Arms (Jedburgh), The Gordon Arms (Yarrow), Grapevine (Galashiels), Hunters Hall (Galashiels), Templehall (Morebattle) and Trinity Bar (Hawick).

Best Bar None Awards are supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Borders Council, Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Arlene Campbell from Best Bar None Scotland told us: “Best Bar None has become recognised for venues delivering high standards in the licensed trade focusing on social responsibility and duty of care in support of the licensing objectives.

"The venues voluntarily participate and I’d like to commend all 23 of the Scottish Borders venues for their commitment to the scheme.

"It is great to see Best Bar None becoming established in this area in support of the local community and day and night-time economy.”

To achieve Best Bar None accreditation premises have to demonstrate to an independent assessor that they met a large number of criteria covering the five key elements of the Licensing Scotland Act 2005 - Prevent crime and disorder, Protect public safety, Prevent public nuisance, Promote public health and Protect children.

PC Nick Walker from the Scottish Borders Safer Communities Team added: “It is great to see a record number of Best Bar None Award winners in the Scottish Borders, but we would like to see even more join up.

“The scheme provides a number of positives for participating premises and means the Borders can maintain safe and welcoming licensed venues.

“The process is very straightforward and Police Scotland and council licensing staff can assist participants at any stage.

“The 2018 scheme will launch in the coming weeks and I would encourage all local licensed premises to take part.”