Structural problems are threatening the existence of a charity shop that has long been a popular meeting place for residents of a Peeblesshire village.

Bosses of British Red Cross are reluctant to pay for necessary repairs at the building on the High Street in West Linton.

And members of the village community council have expressed concern that the shop might disappear forever.

“People go into the shop for a blether and a sit down,” said Anne Suckling. “It would be sad if we lost this facility, it’s been there for a long time. Structural repairs are required and they don’t want to spend money when they already have a shop in Morningside.” The community council chairman Eric Small agreed and said: “In its day the shop turned over a lot of money.” Another member Colin Bell joked: “Where will we dump all our surplus Christmas presents if it goes?”