With the introduction of the asymmetric week following the summer holidays, pupils from both primary and secondary schools across the region will finish at lunch-time on Fridays.

The four-and-a-half day scholastic week has caused anger for many parents.

And concerns continue to be raised about the lack of childcare available each Friday afternoon.

Selkirk have now announced plans to develop their own football academy which will run for up to three hours.

Yarrow Park spokesman Ross Anderson told us: “The Friday football academies will run each week from 1pm to 4pm.

“We have top coaches and players lined up to take the sessions.

“A lot of parents were telling us that they didn’t know what they were going to do when the changes came in. This solves a problem for them and it it encourages youngsters in and around Selkirk to play football.” The club’s first-team coaches Paul Doig and Steve Forrest will be joined by colleagues from the Paris-based EDU Academy to take the fun sessions.

Several of the Lowland League team’s full-time players will also help.

And it is anticipated that the Academy could accommodate upwards of 50 players of both primary and secondary ages.

Mr Anderson added: “Our plans will allow for pupils from the primary school all the way up to S6 to take part. We will have different age groups and different levels of coaching.

“Even if it is pouring down we have contingency plans for indoor games and films to be screened. Come rain or shine the academy will run every Friday at Yarrow Park.

“This isn’t a money-making exercise so we will keep costs for parents down to a minimum.” Further details are available by calling Yarrow Park on 01750 778147.