A SMALL primary in Selkirk has topped the table of school thefts in the Borders.

But staff at St Joseph's did recover Waddles the Penguin after an appeal was issued.

The Back Row primary, which only has 20 pupils, has recorded four incidents of theft in the past 18 months.

Waddles the Penguin was taken last May.

The Primary 1 to 3 mascot was returned to the classroom following a letter drop to all parents.

But more recently a set of teacher's keys were snatched in September.

And during October two sets of cabinet keys were taken and a new box of disposable gloves also went missing.

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council said: "Waddles the Penguin resided in the P1 to P3 class at St Joesph’s.

"It went AWOL and St Joseph’s School put out a letter telling parents it had gone missing and if found please returned it home. It appeared soon after."

Burnfoot Primary in Hawick also recorded four incidents of theft - all from April, 2013 - including a trampoline, a sandpit and a wheelbarrow.

More recently a £100 window washer was snatched at Wilton Primary in Hawick.

Also in Hawick, two laptops, worth £500 each, were stolen from Trinity Primary.

In September £400 worth of mobile phones were taken from Selkirk High School.

Despite the catalogue of thefts, education bosses don't believe there is dishonesty problem in Borders classrooms.

The spokesperson added: “While any reported theft in our schools is disappointing, it is worth noting that there were 16 reported thefts in two years across our 72 primary and secondary schools.

“We believe our schools are safe places to learn and work. We take any incidents of theft very seriously and work alongside local police officers to resolve incidents.”