SIR, As chairman of the selection panel for Earlston’s Citizen of the Year award, I thought it appropriate to write to you on behalf of myself and the other panel members, following the disbandment of the Earlston Community Council last week.

As you know, nomination forms have been delivered to households in recent weeks and additional forms are also available in the shops holding the “posting boxes” for completed forms.

Although, as a panel now have no formal standing, we sincerely hope that local residents will continue to consider who within our community might be a worthy recipient of the award and complete and post back their forms; the closing date remains as Tuesday 31 March 2015.

We will process the forms after that date and hold the result for review, by any new Community Council that is formed. Rest assured that the details and information you submit will be held in confidence and will only be used for the intended purpose.

The unfortunate and unforeseen situation we now find ourselves in should not detract from or diminish the importance of identifying someone who merits recognition within our community. The panel hopes that you will continue to support this locally important event.

I am, etc.

Disney Barlow