BUDDING authors from a summer camp in Selkirk have finally gone to print.

With a little help from a few parents, the schoolchildren wrote and illustrated Bannerfield Besties.

And going by the reception it got at a launch last week, the coming-of-age page-turner is well worth a read.

Parent Camilla Anderson told us: “The summer programme really brought the local community together with the children, along with parents/carers, all having had a fantastic time creating the story.

"We are all grateful to the organisers for putting together such a brilliant programme and look forward to what is going to be happening this year."

Bannerfield Besties recounts the adventures of three special friends who have fun and play together in the local area.

When two of them find themselves in a pickle, help comes from a very unexpected source.

And the moral of the story, that we all have some talents and skills that can sometimes help other people, resonates with readers.

Last week's launch at Philiphaugh Community Centre was attended by the authors, parent helpers and dozens of guests.

Parent Kelsey Pettie was impressed with the finished book.

She said: “It was good fun doing the drawings of the lion and the cheetah and it is wonderful to see how well they turned out now that the story has been published.”

The summer programme runs every Thursday throughout the school holidays at the Philiphaugh Community Centre.

The programme, which is free for all accompanied children, includes fun, fitness and crafts activities as well as breakfast and lunch.

Councillor Carol Hamilton, executive member for Children and Young People, is impressed with Bannerfield Besties.

She said: “This is a delightfully original story that the contributing authors and artists should be extremely proud of.

"It must be so rewarding for them to see the results of their hard work in printed form and I would encourage anyone who gets the chance to read the story and perhaps learn something from the message it contains.

“I have no doubt the activities programme that will be running at Philiphaugh this summer will be equally creative and enjoyable and now is the ideal time for everyone to get in touch and book their place.”

A copy of Bannerfield Bestie is available to read at Selkirk Library and also the town's health centre.