HIS rugby team has just been crowned Scottish club champions for the third time in four years following one of the most exciting ends to a season - ever.

And their success has been reported in newspapers, radio and television stations up and down the country.

But Melrose Rugby captain Fraser Thomson is not the man to attract more visitors to the abbey town, according to community councillors.

And not because he is a native of Galashiels.

The 24-year-old full-back, who has represented Scotland at club international and under 18 level, appeared on a design for a new sign to promote Melrose.

Scottish Borders Council is consulting the local community on the project following fears that visitors were bypassing the town since the new visitor centre opened at nearby Abbotsford House, the former home of renowned writer Sir Walter Scott.

Similar signs have already been installed in Selkirk, Galashiels and Peebles. They are designed to encourage visitors to explore the area and stay for longer.

However, community councillors in Melrose rejected the design for their town at their latest monthly meeting.

Community councillor Robin Chisholm said: “I felt there must be better pictures of Melrose. It seems as though they have found some pictures at the bottom of a drawer and stuck them in.” Community councillor Rosie Jones agreed. She added: “I think a picture of the (Greenyards) pitch with the Eildon Hills would be much more iconic.” As well as a picture of Thomson, the proposed signage also included a photograph of Melrose Square. However, the meeting heard the Square was “half in the dark”, there was no picture of the the picturesque Eildon Hills or Melrose Abbey - one of the Borders biggest tourist attractions.

Referring to the photograph of the Melrose captain, community councillor Dorothy Cameron said: “My first reaction was: 'Who’s this?’” But, smiling, Provost William Windram replied: “Of course you know who it is, it’s Fraser Thomson - the Melrose rugby captain.” What image do you think best portrays your town? Email editorial@bordertelegraph.com