DEMOLITION work has begun on a 139-year-old church in Galashiels.

The historic St Aidan’s Church in Gala Park, which was founded in 1880, required around £500,000 of repairs.

Due to the extent of damage Book Development Limited was given consent to demolish the historic building.

Council officers said it had now been "satisfactorily demonstrated" that the retention of the church would not be economically viable.

A number of objections had been lodged to the demolition plan, arguing that the loss of the building should not be accepted for heritage reasons.

The B Listed church was originally named the South United Presbyterian Church and in 1936 merged with the former Trinity Church on the High Street, when it became known as St Cuthbert’s.

Then in 1974, St Cuthbert’s was united with Ladhope Parish Church, being renamed St Aidan’s in 1981.

St Aidan’s finally closed in 2005 due to low congregational membership and high maintenance costs,