EXPERTS are set to clean the vandalised war memorial in Selkirk ahead of this year's Armistice centenary.

Vandals have twice targetted the Ettrick Terrace memorial with spray paint in the past two years.

But the latest incident, during the early hours of Common Riding morning in June, has left permanent damage to three of the bronze name plaques.

Talks have now begun with officers at Scottish Borders Council for the panels to be professionally cleaned and repainted.

David Deacon from Selkirk Ex Soldiers' Association told us: "Although most of the damage has been cleaned and covered up it can still be seen.

"Following discussions with Scottish Borders Council they have kindly agreed to strip all of the panels and have them repainted ahead of Armistice."

Members of the Ex Soldiers discovered the most recent spray-painted vandalism just two hours before they were due to lay a wreath as part of the town's Common Riding celebrations on Friday, June 15.

A desperate clean-up by stewards and police, which included covering the paint remnants with boot polish, was carried out before the service took place.

A total of 1296 men from Selkirk served in the army and navy during the 1914-18 conflict.

The names of the 292 who never returned are listed on on two bronze plaques within the Memorial - with the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II listed on a central bronze plaque.

All three of the bronze panels were damaged on the morning of the Common Riding.

A special ceremony will take place at Selkirk War Memorial to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War on the morning of November 11.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “The council is in discussions about cleaning the war memorial ahead of Remembrance Sunday.”

Despite widespread appeals by police the vandal who carried out the spray paint attack in June hasn't been found.