UKULELE players in Earlston are providing inspiration and instruments for the next generation.

The hugely-popular Earlston Club has been raising funds to provide ukuleles to several local schools.

Fundraising has involved club nights and other performances.

Last year the Earlston Ukulele Club (EUC) presented five instruments to the ukulele club at Howdenburn Primary School in Jedburgh.

And EUC members Ian Thomson and Mike Dennison recently attended Stow Primary School to present a further five ukuleles to a group of very enthusiastic P4/P5 pupils.

Ian and Mike were impressed by the pupils’ keenness.

And the club has already purchased a sixth, left-handed ukulele for Stow Primary so that all the children can try their hand.

They explained that: “The ukuleles will provide much greater access to instruments for students.

“They will also be available to a new community ukulele club that is being established at the Stow Community Learning Hub, which is hosted at the school.”

Members of the EUC are involved in getting the Stow club off the ground as well as bringing along instruments for would-be members to try out.

The Scottish Women’s Institute (Coldstream), Lauderdale Over-60s Club, the Strumash Ukulele Orchestra from Peebles, the Coldingham Ukulele Club and EUC members have all contributed generously to the schools initiative.

The EUC meets every Thursday from 7pm to 11pm at the Black Bull in Earlston.

And the group welcomes new members of any standard, including complete beginners, to come along and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.