GALASHIELS business chiefs in have been told to build on the success of the Borders railway.

Commuters rubbed shoulders with politicians, tourism operators and representatives of arts bodies, at the first open meeting in Galashiels of the Borders Railway Community Partnership (BRCP).

Commercial director of Scotrail, Cathy Craig, told the meeting that since the coming of the railway, visitors to attractions in the Borders had jumped 6.5 per cent, 4 per cent in Midlothian.

But stemming from her experience with CalMac around Scotland’s west coast, she advocated more effort to package destinations and create more opportunities for travellers to pre-book holidays in the Scottish Borders.

She said: ‘With so much going for it there is no reason why the Borders cannot be the Scottish destination of choice, going forward’.

Listeners at the get-together in The Interchange, also heard chairman Mags Fenner outline BRCP support for cultural activity like Creative Coathanger festival and a range of outreach and networking events.