PEEBLES looks set to host the 2017 Scottish Borders Walking Festival.

Members of the local authority’s Infrastructure Committee will decide the fate of the popular plodathon for the next three years when they meet next week.

Countryside Ranger Keith Robeson is recommending the hills of Peeblesshire is the venue in three years’ time.

Hundreds of visitors arrive in the region every September for the week-long festival of organised walks, entertainment and dinners.

Last year’s event in and around Innerleithen was amongst the most successful ever.

And last month’s hikes around Jedburgh and Denholm were also a massive boost for the local economy.

Mr Robeson explained the criteria behind deciding each year’s host. He said: “In order to bid for Scottish Natural Heritage funding it is beneficial to determine the festival locations for the next three years.

“Criteria which need to be taken into consideration when determining the venue include the location of the most recent festivals, bed night provision within the community, how recently and how often the community has hosted the event.” The first ever Scottish Borders Walking Festival was held in West Linton during 1995.

It returned to the village in the spring of 2002, after being postponed for six months due to the foot and mouth outbreak.

Peebles hosted the event for the first time in 2010 when organisers reported huge demand for all of the organised walks.

Next week’s recommendations are for Galashiels to host next year’s festival, Coldstream to be the venue in 2016 and Peebles for the following year.