A JOKE suggestion is leading the way in a bid to name the new school campus in Jedburgh.

Scottish Borders Council began inviting suggestions for the official title of the intergenerational campus the week before Christmas.

The suggestion by James Keiller on the local authority's social media site to call the campus Schooly McSchoolface is so far the most popular by a long way.

Education bosses were hoping to gather suggestions linked to Jedburgh's historic past as well as the town's famous folk.

And they plan to draw up a shortlist of the 'most popular and appropriate names' to go out to public vote next month.

But in the week or so since they opened up to suggestions it has been Schooly McSchoolface which has attracted most support.

The name is a take on Boaty McBoatface, which was the name given to a new Natural Environment Research Council vessel after a similar public vote in 2016.

Although not being drawn on the current leading candidate, education spokeswoman councillor Carol Hamilton hopes there will be many more suggestions ahead of the January 16 deadline.

She told us: "We have already had some great ideas for the name of the new campus, and would love to receive more ahead of the deadline.

“We realise how important this project is to Jedburgh which is why a public vote will be held to choose a winning name of this exciting community asset.

“We look forward to further engagement with the community on this project next year, which will see this innovative facility move closer to completion.”

Work on the new campus is progressing well, with the frame of the new building - which will replace Jedburgh Grammar, Howdenburn and Parkside primaries - being installed.

The games hall section of the new campus has been completed with work continuing on the atrium, canteen area and the nursery area.

The campus will have provision for nursery, primary and secondary school children alongside further education.

Community facilities will include a multi-use games area, a 2G hockey pitch, 3G sports pitch, 100m running track, external changing pavilion and rural skills area.

The campus is still on course to be completed in spring 2020.