FIGURES have shown that Borders primary one pupils have the best teeth in mainland Scotland.

Dentists carried out inspections at all primary schools in the country during 2017/18.

And they found that more than 77 percent of the 1048 four-and five-year-olds inspected locally had no signs of decay.

The figure is well above the national average of 71 percent and only beaten by schools in the islands.

Of all the Borders primary one pupils inspected only 4.48 percent had letters sent home recommending immediate care due to decay or abscesses - again well below the national average of over seven percent.

Primary 7 pupils in the Borders also have some of the healthiest smiles in the country.

Of the 1074 inspections carried out in Borders schools, only 0.65 percent of them were sent letters due to decay and abscesses.