A PUBLIC appeal has been made to help Peebles recruit a second Tommy ahead of this year's Great War centenary commemorations.

In the run up to Remembrance Day on November 11 a series of special events will take place across Peeblesshire.

But standing guard over the names of the 225 servicemen who lost their lives during the First World War on the Quadrangle War Memorial will be a silhouetted Tommy.

And members of the Royal British Legion hope to raise enough funds to purchase a second symbolic soldier to keep him company.

The six-foot-high aluminium silhouettes are part of the Here But Not Here project to help commemorate, educate and heal.

And all profits from the sale of each statue will aid forces' charities.

The Peebles branch of the Royal British Legion is in the process of purchasing one of the £750 silhouettes and if they can raise enough money in time, hope to buy a second.

Mike Stark, President RBLS Peebles Branch, told the Peeblesshire News: "This six-foot version of the There But Not There logo is a poignant and affective image that embodies the There But Not There message, and it can be erected permanently to remember the fallen.

"The Royal British Legion Scotland, Peebles Branch hopes to erect two sculptures at the War Memorial in the Chambers Institution Quadrangle.

"We already have funds to purchase one Tommy and kindly request the people of Peebles to donate towards the second one."

A collection point for any donations is being set up at the Tontine Hotel from today (Friday).

It is hoped to have both Tommies guarding the War Memorial in the week leading up to the centenary of the end of the Great War on November 11.

During the build up to Armistice a programme of events will also take place across the town.

And at the centre of the film screenings, lectures, remembrance walks and visual tributes will be a display telling the people's story of Peeblesshire.

Since an appeal was made in the Peeblesshire News earlier this month for families to contribute their stories of loved ones during and after the end of World War I many people have been in touch.

Adrian Lucas from the organising committee told us: "We have received many stories and photographs via the email and also in person.

"Over the coming weeks the stories will start to be compiled and used to tell the story of Peeblesshire's people."

Anyone who can contribute to telling the story of Peeblesshire and its people during the Great War is asked to send stories and photographs to remembrance1918@gmail.com