ORGANISERS of Peebles Hogmanay Torchlight Procession are hopeful the spectacle will return this year – after cancelling the 2018 event to give volunteers a break.

Event director Neil Dalgleish told us: “We have had a full on year and we wanted to give volunteers a deserved break at the new year with their families.

“A huge amount of work goes into organising the event and we will have to start preparing now for 2019.”

The procession has taken place in the town since 2015. And thousands of visitors have flocked to light torches, enjoy live music and see in the new year.

Now organisers say they are planning to run it every two years.

Mr Dalgleish added: “We are going to see how it goes. If there is sufficient interest and it is financially viable, we will continue to run the event.

“A lot of people, including members of the community, helped out to raise money for last year’s Torchlight Procession, so it is great to see so many people who, like us, believe in this event.

“However, fundraising is always a hefty task. It is a big ask to get people involved at that time of the year.

“If you take Edinburgh’s annual display, that is hugely public funded. We have to do all of ours on our own. We don’t have a tourism organisation to help.

“But it is always nice to hear the local public say how much they enjoy it, show their support and help out.

“And we are looking forward to making the preparations for the 2019 Torchlight Procession.”