PLANS to ban boozing in public across six Borders towns and villages is about to be sent to the Scottish Government for approval.

If the bid is successful, the ban will be enforced in Galashiels town centre, all of Hawick, Jedburgh and Eyemouth as well as Newtown St Boswells and Coldingham.

The introduction of a booze ban byelaw was first considered more than five years ago.

Following a region-wide consultation exercise in 2013 and 2014 only six communities supported the plans.

Lengthy legal and constitutional processes had stalled the bylaws bid, but a request is now ready to be forwarded to Holyrood.

The local authority's chief legal officer Nuala McKinlay said: "It has been over four and a half years since Council last considered this matter and it has therefore taken an exceptionally long period of time for this juncture to have been reached.

"The byelaws are not operative until they have been confirmed by the Scottish Government.

"If confirmed a commencement date would be agreed between the Scottish Government and the council."

A further period of consultation will be required before the byelaws become live.

The proposals which are being sent to the Scottish Government highlight a temporary lifting of the ban from 10am to 10pm on Coldingham Gala Day, the Herring Queen Festival in Eyemouth, the Braw Lads Gathering in Galashiels, Hawick Common Riding, Jethart Callants Festival and Newtown St Boswells Gala Day.

But outwith the exemption festival days anyone caught consuming alcohol in public will be charged and face a court conviction.

The proposed byelaw states: "Any person who consumes alcohol in a designated place or is found to be in possession of an open container containing alcohol in a designated place in circumstances whereby it is reasonable to infer that that person intended to drink from it whilst in a designated place shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale."

The proposals will be discussed by all members of Scottish Borders Council during a meeting on Thursday.