A BLOCKBUSTER film is shooting an “epic scene” in the Borders, a councillor has revealed.

Leaderdale and Melrose councillor David Parker confirmed to Radio Borders that a “world war” scene for the new Indiana Jones film will be shot at Leaderfoot Viaduct today (Friday, June 11).

“It’s tremendous that Indiana Jones is here in the Scottish Borders, that the Leaderfoot viaduct and parts of our region will feature in the fifth movie,” council convenor Mr Parker told Radio Borders.

“It’s a huge movie franchise and it’s really fitting because actually tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark so what better place to be on that amazing occasion than in the Borders, filming at Leaderfoot viaduct and enjoying the tremendous Borders scenery.

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“It’s a world war scene that is going to be filmed here in the Scottish Borders and it’s a pretty epic one so later on today we might be seeing quite a lot of pyrotechnics and bangs and flashes as they carry out all the different things that they’re doing.”

Mr Parker said that filming the franchise – which is viewed “all over the world” – in the Borders will be “great for Newstead, Melrose and the Leaderfoot area”.

According to Radio Borders, the viaduct has been sealed off while “the auction mart in nearby Newtown has been turned into [a] giant lorry park”.

The film is reportedly scheduled for release on July 29, 2022.