A FORMER soldier from Innerleithen is set to herald the centenary of the end of the Great War by playing his pipes.

Andrew Leckie served for 10 years in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

And on Sunday, November 11 he will be one of 1,000 lone pipers around the world who will begin Armistice commemorations by playing the retreat march, Battle’s O’er.

Organised by Pageantmaster Bruno Peek, the Battle’s Over is a day-long series of events being held throughout the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Bermuda, France, Belgium, Canada, the United States and Germany.

It begins at 6am with lone pipers playing in their own communities the traditional Scottish air which is customarily played after a battle.

Andrew told us: "I am proud to be playing a part in this historic international event to commemorate the centenary of the end of the Great War, and to recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by the men and women from our own community.”

"I'm a fairly new piper and have only been learning for roughly a year and a half, but having a military background I feel it's a fitting tribute."

Andrew will play at the War Memorial in Peebles.

The worldwide Battle's Over commemorations will also feature buglers sounding the Last Post at 6.55pm on Armistice Sunday ahead of beacons being lit at 1,000 locations and a similar number of churches and cathedrals ringing their bells.

Organiser Bruno Peek has been organising major royal celebrations and international events for more than 36 years.

And he has been working on Battle’s Over for more than four years.

Bruno told us: "It’s wonderful to see the event being embraced by so many organisations and communities in this country and around the world.

"The centenary of the end of the Great War is an opportunity to acknowledge the enormous sacrifice made the millions of men and women who died or were wounded, as well as those who worked tirelessly at home in our fields and factories.

"It has been a privilege to work on this project with the support of so many amazing organisations.”