NICOLA Sturgeon has announced the Scottish Borders will receive just over £1.6 million to help protect the region from flooding.

The First Minister revealed the plans as part of a 10-year national scheme, designed to protect more than 10,000 homes at risk from damage.

The announcement, made during the SNP leader’s visit to Dumfries and Galloway on Monday, comes after the majority of the Borders were seriously affected by storms Desmond, Frank and Gertrude just months ago.

The Flood Protection Strategy is backed by a £420m grant and follows the agreement between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and will be used to set up 40 new flood protection projects across Scotland, to make local authorities more equipped to deal with the downpours.

The funding also comes after the Border Telegraph reported last week that Scottish Borders Council have published its first ever “local flood risk management plans”, so residents can see where the money is being spent.

During the visit, Mrs Sturgeon said: “This agreement will give local authorities the certainty they need to deliver the actions set out in their local flood risk management plans to help protect individuals, business and communities from the danger of flooding.”

And the council’s first set of plans will be on show in a two-day exhibition in Hawick next month in the town hall.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, SBC’s Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure, said: “We want to discuss the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme with people as any concerns raised now can be addressed. Issues brought up later could lead to delays with the project.

“That is why it is so important for residents, businesses and community groups to come along to our public exhibition. It is an ideal opportunity to speak to officers directly involved in the scheme and get an idea of how it will look,” he added.

“Scottish Borders Council remains committed to the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme and hope the people of the town will show their support by coming along to the public exhibition.”

The council also announced last week that, like Hawick, Selkirk residents will also see investment in their flood defences.

The plans for Selkirk and Hawick are to be managed and funded up until 2022 and can also be viewed online at www.scotborders.gov.uk/floodplans