THE new owners of the old school premises in West Linton are still to be revealed with several offers being considered by Scottish Borders Council.

Speculation has been high in the village that the Co-operative, currently based in the High Street, or Tesco could buy the site which is quoted at a price of £395,000.

With housing at a premium in West Linton there is also a possibility that it would appeal to a developer.

A spokesman for Scottish Borders Council said: “The Council is currently in the process of formally considering the offers and is not in a position to discuss them until it has made a formal decision.” Councillors were not permitted to reveal interested parties when quizzed about the sale at a meeting of the Tweeddale Area Forum at the new school in the village.

Tweeddale West councillor Catriona Bhatia said: “Because there are bids, the whole process is confidential. But there would have to be a good reason for us not to accept the highest bid.” West Linton resident Sheila Black said: “We did have a community centre and it would be wonderful if the old school could be used for that. We might also use it for parking which would ease problems in other parts of the village.”