A CONSTRUCTION company has hoisted health and safety onto the curriculum at a Peeblesshire primary school.

The firm developing the Caerlee Mill site in Innerleithen were guests at St Ronan’s Primary recently.

And during the visit they reminded pupils of the potential dangers of building sites.

Whiteburn are currently erecting family homes and flats on the site of the historic mill.

Roger Bainbridge from the company gave the pupils a history lesson on Caerlee Mill as well as demonstrating the safety measures required on site today.

Eve McCurrich, managing director of Whiteburn, told us: “Our key objective is to bring this historic site in the heart of the town of Innerleithen back to life, and to create a great place for people to live.

"But we’re also mindful that we want to be more than just a developer, and that we want to really be part of the local Innerleithen community by providing a link between the history of the Caerlee Mill site and its future.

"Visiting St Ronan’s Primary School was an ideal opportunity for us to do that, while also making sure that our message to never play near a construction site was shared in a positive, constructive and fun way.”

Pupils were allowed to try on the latest safety equipment used by workers at Caerlee as they build the 44 houses and flats.

St Ronan's headteacher Keith Belleville believes the visit was worthwhile.

He told us: "Our children really enjoyed the informative presentation by the Caerlee Mill team.

"Quite apart from reminding the children about the important role that Caerlee Mill used to play in the town, and learning about how the site will be transformed, it was refreshing to see the importance the team placed on sharing their message about staying safe near a construction site.

"When you consider that some of our children will pass the development site on their walk to school, it’s important that they are aware of the key things that will help keep them safe.”