PRIME Minister Theresa May has been urged to lend her support to the campaign to extend the Borders Railway to Hawick.

Local MP John Lamont raised the need for a continuation of the line to Hawick and beyond during Prime Minister's Questions.

Responding, Mrs May said she 'understood the importance' of the campaign and promised that the Scottish and UK Governments would work in partnership to deliver economic growth for the region.

During the exchange, Mr Lamont said that extending the railway to Hawick, Newcastleton and on to Carlisle would 'greatly enhance economic activity in the region and would be a powerful example of cross border cooperation between Scotland’s two governments'.

He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the proposed Borderlands Growth Deal, which is currently being developed by five cross-border local authorities, supported the campaign to extend the Borders Railway.

Mr Lamont told us: “I was pleased to be able to raise the campaign to bring the Borders Railway to Hawick directly with the Prime Minister.

“Bringing the line to Hawick would be transformational for the town and although it is not going to happen overnight, I am confident that we have an opportunity to push the campaign on to the next stage.

"Bringing the Borders Railway to Hawick, Newcastleton and Carlisle is exactly the type of project which Borderlands should be promoting. It would be a massive boost for Hawick and the rest of the Borders and would improve connectivity in the region, particularly if the line was to link up to the West Coast.

“I am determined to continue to pursue this issue and make sure that Borderlands moves this vital project forward.”