METAL cutlery could be brought back in Borders schools – after complaints by pupils over single-use plastic.

Many pupils have raised concerns over disposable cutlery in school canteens, according to councillors.

At a meeting of Scottish Borders Council on Thursday, March 28, Kelso and District councillor Euan Robson (Lib Dem) told the chamber that he had been contacted by worried pupils.

He asked the council’s executive member for children and young people, Councillor Carol Hamilton, how many schools use the single-use cutlery.

East Berwickshire councillor Hamilton (Cons) told the meeting that it is “a subject that a number of pupils have brought to the attention of the council” and confirmed that every one of the council’s schools use disposable cutlery.

Councillor Robson, who is a former MSP for Roxburgh and Berwickshire: “I’m very much aware of the concerns of young people about this and I know it’s not a simple issue but I think we should look carefully at the contracts we involve ourselves in with catering companies.

“We could see if there’s a way to turn back to metal cutlery, which is washed. I think young people, particularly, would value that.”

The council’s administration agreed to look into the proposals and report back to members.