THE delights of a Victorian garden near Eddleston have led to three new talking books being recorded.

For decades the preserved walled garden, herbaceous borders, ornamental fruit cages and large Victoria glasshouse at Portmore Gardens have attracted horticultural enthusiasts from all over the country.

And this year's entry fees, totalling almost £6,000, have been donated by Chrissie Reid and Scotland's Gardens Scheme to Peebles Community Talking Books.

The latest donation will bring the talking library created by the Peebles charity to 16 titles for book enthusiasts of all ages.

Two of the new recorded novels will be for children - Winnie the Pooh, A Tree for Christmas and The Polar Express.

And for adults, the timeless Robin Jenkins novel The Cone Gatherers will be narrated and recorded.

The Peebles charity was nominated to become Portmore Gardens 2019 Charity of the Year by employee Ewen Young.

Angela Preston, a former fundraising manager for sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, told us: "If Ewen hadn't heard me talking about Talking Books this fantastically generous move by Portmore Gardens might not have happened.

"It's yet one more in a long list of examples of how Peebles has come together as community to help ensure blind and partially sighted people can enjoy the same books as everyone else does.

"Since this drive began in June 2016, Peebles has raised enough for an amazing 16 Talking Books to be produced."

As well as helping raise £5,878.50 for the Peebles Community Talking Books Mrs Reid also invited the Peebles Sight Loss Group to enjoy a private tour of Portmore Gardens in September.

Chrissie said: "It was wonderful to welcome the group and to meet so many interesting people.

"I am delighted that everybody enjoyed their visit and that we have also raised enough throughout the summer to enable Peebles Community Talking Books group to add a further three talking books to the RNIB Library."