AN eye-sore near Selkirk town centre is to be transformed into a garden of remembrance.

But the World War One memorial will only remain until the site is required for housing.

St Mary’s Church, which was built in 1862, was one of Selkirk’s most prominent skyline buildings.

Falling numbers in the pews and urgent repairs led to its eventual closure in the mid 1980s.

The Ettrick Terrace building was demolished during the winter of 2004 with plans submitted for apartments.

More than a decade on, the site, which sits opposite the town’s War memorial, has remained an overgrown field of rubble.

This week Graham Easton, who is a member of both Selkirk Community Council and the town’s Ex-Soldiers Association, revealed plans are under way to transform the derelict land into a garden of remembrance.

He said: “This has been a site of contention for a number of years and there is an opportunity to both tidy it up and to create something to commemorate the 1914 to 1918 war.

“I have spoken with the owner’s agent and he has assured me that nothing will happen on the site for at least five years.

“We are now looking at making the area more presentable - it may only last five years or six or seven years but anything to tidy up that area will be a bonus.” An approach has already been made to the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme project for funding.

Meetings are planned with all of the Royal Burgh’s Common Riding casting associations to gather support.

And a site meeting has already taken place between Mr Easton and the landowner.

Graham added: “This is all at the initial stages but it is an opportunity.

“We want this to be a community project and a fitting tribute.”