SCOUTS across the Scottish Borders are preparing to provide a first-class Christmas.

The youngsters are creating everything from colourful greetings cards to festive table decorations, as well as learning lots of carols along the way.

The Scouts are also well known for their Christmas post service and this year is no exception with groups in Galashiels, Peebles, West Linton, Selkirk and Hawick already organising their sorting offices.

In the weeks to come, hundreds of Scouts, leaders, parents and committee members will take on the job of delivering thousands of Christmas cards stamped with special Scout stamps and posted in Scout post boxes.

Cheryl Scott of the Galashiels Scout Group told us: “It’s important that each card is delivered to the right house so we encourage accurate delivery.

“We want to make sure that if someone’s sitting at home alone, where they usually have no correspondence other than bills, they know someone is thinking of them.

"Cards are mainly used by the elderly nowadays and the Scout Post is a great way for our young people to interact with older members of the community. It really does bring people together.”

The Scout Post also offers children and young people opportunities to learn valuable skills including team work, map reading and a greater awareness of the town where they live.

They also gain a deeper sense of community and help raise much needed funds for their group to support camps and activities throughout the year.

Linda Gray, a Cub Scout Leader with the West Linton group added: “The Scout Post is important because it brings all sections of the Scout Group together.

"It’s regarded as an asset in the community and helps everyone to stay in touch.

“The children experience a real thrill counting, sorting and posting all the cards through letterboxes each year. They learn a great deal throughout the process.”

All cards are guaranteed to be delivered before Christmas but Scout groups stress the importance of legible handwriting and clearly addressed envelopes.

Linda explained: "The service is only possible due to the many volunteers and businesses who support their local group and bring the Scout Post to life each year.

“It’s a cut price service which raises an incredible amount of funding for Scouts and makes a huge impact on the wider community.”

To find out more information about the Scout Post, as well as details on your local Scout group and how to volunteer, visit www.borderscouts.org.uk/scout-post

Selkirk:

Selkirk Scout Group charges 25p per card and deliveries take place around the town. The last posting date will be Thursday, December 6. Post boxes can be found at: Scott’s Selkirk Shop, McCudden’s Newsagents, Bannerfield Stores and Raeburn Premier Store.

Galashiels:

Galashiels Scout Group charges 30p per card and deliver to Galashiels, Tweedbank and Clovenfords. The last posting date will be Tuesday, December 11.

Post boxes can be found at: The Trophy Guy, Scottish Building Society, Tweed Road Premier Shop, Wood Street Premier Shop, Scott Street Premier Shop, Langlee Spar, Clovenfords Store and Tweedbank Late Shop.

Peebles:

Peebles Scout Group charges 30p per card and deliveries take place around the town. The last posting date will be Monday, December 18.

Post boxes can be found at: Tesco, Sainsbury, Spar, Premier, Keystore and McColls.

West Linton:

West Linton Scout Group asks for a donation and deliveries take place around the town. The last posting date will be Saturday, December 21.

The Scout Post Box can be found at the West Linton Post Office.