A BORDERS community magazine has been named as the Scotland runner-up at UK-wide awards ceremony.

Celebrating community groups and organisations across the UK, the Creative Lives Award invite nominations to celebrate the work done they do in their communities.

At this year's ceremony in Leeds, the Newstead News was named as Scotland runner-up behind Paisley-based Sewing2gether All Nations.

Editor and project co-ordinator Lisa Cowan said: "On behalf of everyone who creates the Newstead News, we’re thrilled to have been announced as the Scottish Runners-up for a Creative Lives Award.

"Who would have thought that a simple leaflet produced at the start of the pandemic would quickly evolve into a colourful, 20-page magazine entirely written and produced by our community."

Lisa created the Newstead News at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 with the support of the Newstead Village Community Trust.

The colourful magazin is published three times a year and is delivered to all 350 homes in the village.

As there is no shop or pub in the village, the Newstead News is a vital resource for residents to know what is happening in and around their community.

Lisa said: "This award belongs to everyone in Newstead, but especially the 100 or so people who have been involved with everything from writing stories to making deliveries.

"It’s rewarding to see our small village making such a big impact.

"Everyone has the chance to be creative, irrespective of age, background or skill.

"Between the pages of the Newstead News, there’s room for the whole community."

The magazine covers a range of topics, from village issues and events, to films and local wildlife.

Jemma Neville, Scotland director for Creative Lives said: "Congratulations to Newstead News!

"We love that the publication is produced by, for and with the village residents.

"In an age of instant, rolling news on our screens, a return to a community newspaper shows the power of storytelling rooted in one place and delivered in person."