WESTMINSTER’S Red Lion and the Cafe Royal in Edinburgh are renowned for their debates on matters of state.

Now a Galashiels pub is pulling in its own punters with a daily round of politics.

Over the past few weeks, as the referendum debate heats up, the Woodcutter has become a hotbed for ballot box banter.

And landlords at Langlee’s favourite boozer are hoping it will be all lead to last orders for the union.

Woodcutter manager Cubbs Turnbull told us: “No voters are more than welcome in the Woodcutter.

“We are not trying to force anyone to vote Yes who doesn’t want to, merely showing our support for an independent Scotland.

“If it is a Yes vote next Thursday we are going to organise a big party - if it’s a No vote, well, we’re trying not to think about that. If it was a No vote the Better Together supporters can book the place for a party, I suppose.” Arguments over football formations have now been ditched in favour of referendum rows.

And the debates about Sturgeon, Salmond and Darling can rumble on deep into the night.

Mr Turnbull added: “There’s always plenty of debate about something in the Woodcutter, recently it is almost entirely about the referendum.

“A few Better Together posters have appeared on our notice board and one of their supporters, Bob Noble, has done a mocked-up photo of the pub with No signs. The banter has been good and we are all looking forward to the referendum next week.”