TWEEDDALE MP David Mundell pulled a perfect pint to celebrate re-opening The Cross Keys in Peebles.

His first drink was a locally-crafted specially-commissioned blond ale named after the pub from Broughton Brewery.

JD Wetherspoon re-opened the pub with rooms - which had lain empty for some time - following a £2.8million makeover which has created 57 new jobs.

“This is a great positive for Peebles”, said Mr Mundell. “During the period it has been closed it’s sucked the life out of Northgate. Even people who are not going to be your customers are very positive about it, Wetherspoon has really opened up the front area on the street.” New manager Craig Henrys welcomed the Conservative MP’s comments and said: “The majority of the staff are from Peebles, with others from Innerleithen, Hawick, Galashiels and Biggar. All have been through our intensive 10 days training on site.

“It was great that Mr Mundell volunteered his services to open the inn.” Wetherspoon area manager Phil Weddle added: “So far everyone has been very positive, when I first came to Peebles I noticed how busy it was but there was nowhere like this.”