FIGHTING flash floods and severe storms has become a whole lot easier for three Borders fire crews.

Firefighters in Peebles, Jedburgh and Eyemouth took delivery of new storm-proof gear last week.

And it is hoped the the revolutionary new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit will help them during operations in the most severe weather conditions.

Iain Bushell, Deputy Chief Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, told us: "Our firefighters are fully committed to keeping Scotland’s communities safe – and it is absolutely vital that they are given the correct tools and equipment to stand on the frontline during times of emergency.

"These impressive new PPE suits will keep firefighters warm and dry, while ensuring they can continue to work in the most challenging conditions to protect Scotland’s communities."

The PPE suits are soon to be rolled out to over 7,000 firefighters across Scotland as part of a new £1.3 million investment.

And it’s hoped that the investment into the new gear will prolong the time crews can operate when called into treacherous storm conditions.

Funding for the PPE kits followed the devastation caused by Storm Frank at the end of 2016, when hundreds of homes across the Borders, as well as wider Scotland, were damaged during flooding.

As well as being introduced into the three Borders fire stations, the heavy duty kits have been delivered to 11 other stations across Scotland - Banchory, Inverurie, Oldmeldrum, Altens, Braemar, Fochabers, Dreghorn, New Cumnock, Newton Stewart, and Lockerbie.

The latest upgrade comes on the back of a £5.2 million investment to upgrade more than 2,200 breathing apparatus sets.

Mr Bushell added: "This significant investment is also a necessary means to protect specialist firefighting kit, at a time when severe weather related flooding continues to pose a significant risk across Scotland."