IT is one of the oldest Common Ridings in the Borders. But it was forced to disband due to a lack of interest before being resurrected in 1911.

Now, 100 years on, Lauder Common Riding is marking the milestone with a special centenary programme of celebrations.

This month, the Royal Burgh elected a new Cornet to fly the flag for the town.

Trainee auctioneer Iain Dick, whose brother Stewart was Cornet in 2004, was paraded on the steps of the Town Hall.

However, this year the Standard Bearer will be presented with a new flag on Common Riding day - only the fourth to be flown during the town's festivities in the last 100 years.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, Lauder Common Riding chairman Ian Fallas said: "It's been pretty hectic. We're doing a few extra bits and pieces this year.

"Lauder Common Riding is something special, it is part of our heritage and brings the whole community together.

"It's impossible to describe what it means to someone from outwith the Borders. The late Jimmy Shaw (Cornet and Standard-Bearer in 1931) reckoned if you could spread the spirit of the Common Riding around the world you could save a lot of misery." But he added: "I'd like to think it could continue for another 100 years. Because it survived for many hundreds of years before that." The Cornet will unveil the new flag at a coffee morning in the Public Hall in Lauder on June 25.