COME hell or high-water Standard Bearer Monks’ proud parents, Iona and Keith, would have been by his side on Common Riding morning.

And not even an emergency hospital operation prevented Craig’s girlfriend and official partner, Tina Chesser, from waiting with open arms as he returned Safe In to Selkirk.

With flooding and heavy rain forecast for the hours leading up to Selkirk’s big day, there were fears that the river crossing would have been cancelled and the entire day becoming a wash out.

But mum Iona and dad Keith were confident their son’s day would go to plan.

Iona told us: “Craig has waited such a long time for this day, nothing was going to spoil it for us.

“We had our waterproofs if we needed them, but it turned out to be a beautiful day.

“The Common Riding has been fabulous – it’s been perfect in every way.”

Having led the mounted Cavalcade himself as Standard Bearer in 1984, dad Keith knew what was in store for his middle son.

Keith said: “Craig did really well – he looked assured all day long.

“We are both very proud parents.”