FEATURING a Paralympic gold medallist, World Record holders, a star of BBC natural history programmes, two hugely respected Polar guides and a breath-taking selection of more than 30 films from around the world, this year’s Peebles Outdoor Film Festival promises a feast of entertainment.

Starting on Friday (January 24), the festival opens with four action-packed sessions - a screening of favourite films from previous years, a taster session with a wonderful programme of brand new films, an appearance by father and son endurance cyclists Rich and Tom Seipp, and ending with a session of short films exploring wild places on our doorstep alongside a headline appearance by diving and natural history presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff.

Programme director Rich Rowe said: “It’s a wonderful start to the festival and really sets the tone for an exhilarating weekend.

"This year, we are delighted to also welcome Paralympic champion and hand cycling adventurer Karen Darke – someone whom we’ve tried to have at the festival for several years now but whose schedule has always been so busy.”

Now based in Inverness, but a well-known figure locally following her regular rides in the annual Tour O’ the Borders, Karen’s story is a remarkable one.

Paralysed from a young age following a climbing accident, Karen’s love of cycling – and the freedom it gives – has opened a whole new world of possibilities.

In a blog for FINDRA Clothing, the sponsor of Karen’s session, she revealed: "When things get tough in my head, I turn to my bike.

"And when things get tough in my body, I also turn to my bike.”

Karen’s talk will explore some of the many epic cycling adventures that she has experienced across the world’s continents since winning hand cycling gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

However, as she will point out, medals and globe-trotting only begin to touch on what cycling is all about for her.

Karen explained: “The combination of movement and nature that cycling brings has certainly been the ‘doctor’ of my life.

“From injury to wellness, from stressed to feeling free, from lonely to sharing deep experiences and connections, it never fails. Cycling is the ‘everyday adventure’ that enables me to go from surviving to thriving.”

Karen Darke appears in the Crossing Continents session at the Peebles Outdoor Film Festival, on Saturday at 7pm.

Tickets are available from the Eastgate Theatre Box Office on 01721 725777, or online www.eastgatearts.com