A BORDERS artist is encouraging youngsters in Galashiels and Peebles to get creative.

Claire Beattie is set to host sessions every Wednesday in in a bid to get children excited about art.

And the Edinburgh University graduate says the new classes, which are aimed at 18 months to three-year-olds, will help with their "social and emotional development".

Claire, who now works for Live Borders' museum and galleries service said: "Delivering classes to younger children helps them to use their creativity without restriction at the same time as helping them to engage with artefacts and objects around Live Borders museum collections.

"Working creatively with kids is so inspiring and this gives them and their parents and carers a chance to work with great art materials and get a bit messy without the thought of having to clear up afterwards.

"There will be lots of interesting objects from Live Borders' museums and galleries service to inspire the sessions with storytelling and music too."

Claire is a practising painter in oils and he work has been on show at the gallery Cameron Contemporary Art in Brighton and Hove and at UK wide art fairs.

She is a also member of the Society of Scottish Artists and Visual Arts Scotland.

Sessions take place every Wednesday, at 10.15am-11am in Old Gala House, Galashiels and at 1:45pm-2.30pm in the Burgh Hall, Peebles.

Sessions cost £5 including all materials.

To book a place, visit: www.liveborders.org.uk/museumsandgalleries