COMMUNITIES and local groups which run projects to keep the Borders looking beautiful are set to be rewarded for their volunteering efforts.

Scottish Borders Council has launched a new awards scheme, The Greener Gateway Community Awards, to celebrate the work done by towns and villages in the region.

The awards, follow the legacy of the Floral Gateway Competition – which ran for almost 20 years.

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A spokesperson for the local authority said: "Following a two year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the awards have been refreshed in light of the Climate Emergency declaration made in 2020."

The spokesperson added: "The Awards are designed to celebrate achievements and promote collaboration within our communities.

"Similarly, we recognise that we are moving away from the era of focussing primarily on floral displays of annual bedding and, instead, we are seeking to promote a more sustainable, holistic view of horticulture, civic pride and community participation in our communities.

"Alongside the existing Border Biodiversity Award, we are also introducing two new award categories: the Cultivating Communities Award for community food growing and the Sustainability Award, providing special recognition for individual projects or initiatives.

"This ties in with the Council’s climate change ambitions, including achieving net zero by 2030, which were set out last year in the Climate Change Route Map."

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Across all of the categories in the competition gold, silver and bronze certificates will be given to winners – replacing first, second and third place awards. Each category will also have a 'Best in Category' award.

No in-person judging will take place as for the first time entries will be submitted online or by hard copy.

Entries will be judged in August and September by a panel of in-house judges.

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An awards ceremony will take place toward the end of September, celebrating the community groups and their achievements.

Entries to The Greener Gateway Community Awards are now open and will close on Friday, August 5.

Details of the competition categories, entry guidelines and advice on how to submit entries can be found on the SBC website, here.