TEXTILES as a career is back on the table following a partnership forged between Developing the Young Workforce Borders and Hawick Men’s Shed.

For more than a century a career in the textiles, hosiery and fashion industries was top of the list for most school-leavers in the Borders.

But cheap overseas productions led to a demise in the local industry during the 1980s and 90s.

However, quality textiles manufacture and design has withstood the changes and is once again being promoted as a viable career option.

Sara Ward from Developing the Young Workforce Borders told us: "In partnership with Hawick Men’s Shed we would like to inspire young people in the Scottish Borders to consider working in textiles as a possible future career option."

Materials and yarns, supplied by House of Cheviot, Schofield Dyers, Johnstons of Elgin, Lovat Mill, Lochcarron of Scotland, Anthony Haines and other local manufacturers, will be used by pupils in schools across the Borders to create artworks and items.

And each school will allocated a space at the new Great Tapestry Building in Galashiels to exhibit their work.

Ms Ward added: "We hope for 2019-2020 with more materials kindly donated, that pupils will be creative and create something to represent their local town or village.

"Along with the materials we have included a five-minute textile DVD created by DYW Borders and Ronald Yule Media to showcase careers within textiles."

Local embroidery, sewing and knitting groups are being encouraged to help each school project.

For further information contact Developing the Young Workforce Borders on 01750 505058 or dyw@dywborders.co.uk