A MOSAIC masterpiece is set to be unveiled this weekend in Selkirk.

Artist Svetlana Kondakova has been adding the finishing touches to the 200 metres of lifelike creations on the town's Flood Defence walls.

Stunning depictions of many recognisable faces connected with the town's Common Riding command the focal point of the impressive commission.

And there is also an eye-catching kelpie creature, metaphorically representing the nearby River Ettrick and its flood threat, being tamed by popular Scout master Graham Coulson.

But for the Edinburgh-based artist, her greatest pride is in the community creations - 94 leaping salmon swimming along the entire length of the wall section - which were made at a series of workshops over the past six months.

Svetlana told us: "The artwork has been inspired by and created together with the people of Selkirk and I hope that their active participation will leave a lasting legacy.

"Some of the youngest children in the town and some of the oldest residents have all taken part in making the salmon mosaics.

"I wasn't sure what to expect from the workshops but the standard of the salmon is very impressive and they look fantastic on the wall."

Tamer of the metaphoric kelpie was decided by a public vote with Scout master and opera stalwart Graham Coulson proving the popular choice.

And ever since the voting closed Svetlana has been working with Graham to create her final mosaic character.

She added: "Many of the mosaics of people who feature on the wall have been done from photographs but I had a few sittings with Graham where we took photos and decided how best to progress - it was a lot of fun."

The kelpie creation also incorporates two commemorations - one for the 1958 Standard Bearer Alex Munro, who sadly drowned during the Braw Lads' Gathering river crossing a few weeks after Casting the Colours, and the other for late community activist Tom Henderson, who was the town's Honorary Provost as well as a councillor for many years.

A total of 19 people involved with the Common Riding have been immortalised in the mosaic artwork.

And many of them will be in attendance on Saturday when an official opening will take place from 12.30pm.