A RECORD number of riders saddled up for this year's Selkirk Common Riding Junior Rideout.

Last Wednesday evening a total of 94 young riders joined 2017 Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Kieran Riddell for a sun-kissed ride around the historic town.

Large crowds lined the route from the Station Yard, up the Green, into the Haining, down the Back Row and through the Market Place.

Gordon Hislop from the organising Ex-Standard Bearers' Association, told the Border Telegraph: "There were a lot of smiles throughout the Junior Rideout which tells you how successful it was.

"That's the most riders we've had since we started the Junior Rideout and we are confident it will just keep getting bigger and bigger.

"Riders came from all over and the messages we were getting at the end of the ride is that they will all be back."

Riders and ponies from as far away as Northumberland, St Andrew's, Annan and Musselburgh joined the cavalcade behind Standard Bearer Riddell.

And organisers were delighted that every town in the Borders was also represented.

Each rider was presented with commemorative ribbons, which were provided by Sheila Lockie, Ann Guthrie and Moira Squance, by this year's Standard bearer Attendants.

And they were also presented with a complimentary goody bag, which were supplied by Booker Cash and Carry and Carrs Billington, at the Haining Estate by Standard Bearer Riddell.

Following a scenic rest in the grounds of the Haining House, the riders remounted to take in the Back Row, High Street and the Green beneath glorious sunshine.

Selkirk Silver Band and, for the first time, Selkirk Junior Band led the riders through the town centre with a repertoire of Common Riding songs to add to the carnival atmosphere.

Despite ongoing traffic disruption through Selkirk the Junior Rideout progressed at a good pace.

Mr Hislop added: "We are grateful to all the work Elliot and Sandra Murray did in organising the marshalling to make sure everything went smoothly.

"The police were excellent - even out community policeman, Conal McEwan, swapped shifts so he could be on duty to help.

"We are extremely grateful to all of our sponsors for their support, particularly SBHA who are our main sponsors, and to the Haining Trust for allowing us to use the estate as part of the Junior Rideout."