A FORMER skating and curling pond near Selkirk is to be raised once again in a bid to become a bird haven.

The natural pond close to the town's golf course was once a prime nesting site for many birds.

But droughts in recent years have seen water levels drop and encroaching foliage evade from all sides.

The Selkirk Hill Management Group recently noted that swans are now unable to land on the surface due to its reduced depth and size.

Gordon Edgar from the group has revealed that plans are now in place to make the pond more bird friendly.

He said: "We are in the process of raising the level of the pond to allow swans and other larger birds to land.

"The skating pond is at its lowest level for a long time and we will be raising the level substantially in the near future.

"We will also be rebuilding parts of the outlet in the near future to help control levels better."

Further improvements around Selkirk Hill are also planned with the replacement of gates and other infrastructure.

And a cut-back plan is being devised for invasive willowherb which has colonised parts of the picturesque meadows.