THE recent cold spell has triggered a warming cash payment for heating homes in Selkirk.

A seven-day freeze, leading up to December 13, saw benefit claimants in the TD7 postcode area become entitled to the one-off Cold Weather Payment of �25.

Temperatures also stayed below freezing in the Hawick TD9 area for the required seven days.

Local MP Michael Moore said: "As the cold weather sets in, I welcome this further boost for Borderers which will be paid automatically to people in receipt of certain benefits.

"Alongside the Winter Fuel Allowance for the elderly, this measure will make a real difference to Borderers who might otherwise struggle to heat their homes over the winter period."