SCHOOLS across the Borders are being plagued by pests.

Figures released by Scottish Borders Council show that the number of pest control call-outs to local primaries and secondaries almost doubled in the space of two years.

And Galashiels Academy continues to head the list.

During the 2010/2011 academic year there were 53 incidents where experts had to be brought in to get rid of rats, mice, cockroaches or wasps.

But in 2011/12 pest controllers were in Borders schools 97 times.

Even after the vermin problems had been brought under control - with the 2012/13 figure falling to 61 call outs - Galashiels Academy continues to face the biggest challenges.

In 2010/11 there were eight incidents, seven the following year and during the last school year a further eight call outs.

Tweedbank Primary School had five call outs during the 2012/13 year and there were four pest control visits last year to St Margaret’s in Galashiels.

We asked Scottish Borders Council’s environmental health department to explain the amount of call outs.

But they hadn’t responded by the time we went to press.

During 2010/11 the overall cost of ridding classrooms of pests was £2131 but in 2011/12 it was almost £10,000.