TAKING up the reins as this year's Melrosian-Elect is a 23-year-old children's nurse from Gattonside.

Ben Magowan was announced in the role at the annual Ex-Melrosians' Association Burns Supper on Saturday night.

The former pupil of Melrose Primary, St Mary's School and Earlston High said: "I was very nervous on the evening but it's such an honour to be asked to be the Melrosian-Elect.

"It was an exciting evening and I had my family there to support me.

"I'm already looking forward to the summer and have started learning about the other town's festivals."

The Burns Supper was a sell-out and guests were entertained by Sandy Telfer who proposed the toast to the Immortal Memory followed by Harry Fletcher's Toast to the Lassies and Annabel Crawford's reply. The toast to Town and Trade was proposed by Mark Robertson with Ex-Melrosian David Crawford replying. Russell Mackay proposed the vote of thanks to Michael Crawford for his rendition of Address to a Haggis, entertainers Drew Scott and Donald Swanson as well as special guest Jim Hutchison for performing Tam o' Shanter. Thanks were also extended to the catering and bar staff at Melrose RFC.

This year's week-long Melrose Festival, which celebrates the history of the town, will take place June 16 until June 22 2019.

The Rideout is on the June 17 and the Crowning of the Festival Queen is on Thursday, June 20.

The Queen and Court for the festival will be appointed in May.