A SAFETY survey of ancient gravestones will be carried out in Selkirk early in the new year.

Dozens of tombstones dating back to the 17th and 18th century at the Auld Kirkyard are thought to be at risk of falling over.

And a full assessment will now be carried out around the ruins of the former Old Parish Kirk.

Each stone which is deemed unsafe will be laid flat before being reinstated later in the year.

Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne said: "It is unlikely that the families responsible for the stones will be traced as these are very old graves.

"The hope is to do the survey as soon as possible and make the Auld Kirkyard safe.

"We have already discussed the provision of reinstating the stones which are laid flat.

"Youths do go into the Kirkyard and we must make sure that the stones are safe."

Local authorities across Scotland were reminded of graveyard dangers following the death of eight-year-old Ciaran Williamson in a Glasgow cemetery last year.

The eight-year-old had been playing in the graveyard when the stone collapsed upon him.

The Selkirk kirkyard is most famous for being the site of the old Kirk o the Forest where William Wallace was proclaimed Guardian of Scotland in 1298.

The kirk ruins which remain are from the third church to be built on the site in 1747.

It became redundant in 1861 when St Mary's West was built on Ettrick Terrace.

Amongst the historic gravestones within the Auld Kirkyard is a stone in memory of the Murray family - the maternal ancestors of American president Franklin D Roosevelt.

It is hoped that once the survey and safety work is completed a Friends of the Auld Kirkyard group will take over responsibility for the site.

Councillor Ballantyne added: "The railings and noticeboards have been cleaned up and painted, and once the graves are made safe the group can take over.

"The idea is to bring the Auld Kirkyard up to a standard for it to be handed over to the group."