THERE was a double celebration for the Borders on Saturday at the annual Scottish Athletics Awards in Glasgow.

Peebles-based jumps coach Linda Nicholson was named as the FPSG Scottish Athletics Development Coach of the Year.

And she was followed onto the stage by Teviotdale's Alastair Walker to collect the Masters Athlete of the Year award.

Linda has guided the country's best young long and triple jumpers to glory and international vests during a highly successful 2019.

One of her proteges, Stephen Mackenzie, gained his first Scottish Senior vest, numerous GB junior bests and was a European Junior Championship finalist.

Another of her rising stars, Ellie O'Hara, also gained a Scottish Senior vest and twice broke her own Scottish Under 17s records.

Linda's athletes claimed no fewer than 33 medals in the scottishathletics and Scottish Schools' AA championships this year.

In front of around 500 guests at the Hilton, Linda was presented with the trophy.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted to have won this award."

Alastair Walker took a two-decade sabbatical from athletics and only returned in a bid to lose weight.

The 63-year-old from Hawick has since gone on to dominate over longer distances to claim numerous Scottish, British and even World titles.

During the ceremony marathon star Callum Hawkins was announced as FPSG Athlete of the Year - beating Peebles runner Jacob Adkin to the title.

And Dunbar's Maria Lyle was presented with the FPSG Para Athlete of the Year trophy.