WALKERBURN'S five-star Windlestraw Hotel has added another honour to its packed trophy shelf.

For the second year in a row the popular hotel and restaurant beat off competition from around the region as well as Edinburgh and the Lothians to be crowned the Most Hospitable Hotel for Lothian & The Borders at last weekend's Scottish Thistle Awards.

Organised by Visit Scotland for over 20 years the Scottish Thistle Awards have been recognised as Scotland's tourism industry's Oscars.

Windlestraw will now represent the region in the National finals in March.

Owners John & Sylvia Matthews credit the win to their dedicated team.

Windlestraw has a policy of employing 100 percent from the Tweed Valley and currently all full and part time staff hail from Walkerburn or Innerleithen.

John told us: ''Our success highlights what can be achieved right here in the Borders by commitment to the local community and local suppliers.

"Walkerburn and the Tweed Valley, far too often overlooked in favor of other destinations, is now firmly on the Scottish culinary and hospitality map.

"This consecutive regional award provides us another opportunity to be the first hotel from The Borders to win the National award.

"We intend to give it our best shot."

Windlestraw holds 5 star Gold status from both Visit Scotland and the AA and the restaurant is credited with two rosettes.