PLANS have been unveiled to bring high-speed broadband to the Yarrow Valley.

But the required signal mast will be positioned on the route of Selkirk Common Riding's Marches.

Dozens of rural properties in the valley leading from Selkirk struggle with sluggish internet speeds.

Local firm Borderlink, who already supply superfast broadband to hundreds of other rural computer users in the Borders, have answered the SOS.

But this week managing director Alex Cacciamani revealed that the choice of location for the four-metres high relay mast is on top of Peat Law.

Cath Henderson, wife of the late Selkirk Provost Tom Henderson, said: "Peat Law is part of the Marches route.

"There were plans many years ago for community wind turbines up that way, but we weren't allowed them because of the close proximity to the Marches."

Mr Cacciamani revealed that the relay mast would require two solar panels, an operations cabinet, a number of antenna and a small satellite dish.

And an base area for the devices would be fenced off to protect them from animals.

He told this week's meeting of Selkirk Community Council: "The Yarrow Valley has called out for our help.

"This will solve a lot of problems for people who are unable to access the type of broadband speeds we need for even the most basic of functions.

"We want to construct a small relay system on Peat Law - this will allow people to access the broadband speeds they should have."

Despite assurances from politicians and internet providers, the Scottish Borders remains patchy for high-speed broadband.

And government targets of every Scottish home being able to access a minimum of 30Mbps seems a long way off for the hundreds of Borders homes who struggle to read two-or-three Mbps.

Alastair Pattullo, chairman of Selkirk Community Council, said: "We want to find out if there is anything we can do to help people on the edge of our town who struggle with broadband connections.

"There is already a mast on the Marches route at Nettly Woods and it hasn't caused any problems."

Borderlink already supply just over 1,000 customers through its relay system.

Their guaranteed superfast broadband speeds cost around £35 per month.

And there is also an installation cost for equipment, which can be claimed back through government subsidies if the property currently suffers from slow speeds.

A spokesman for Borderlink said: "It shouldn't be a problem for most houses in the Yarrow Valley to qualify for the subsidies.

"If the current speeds are below two Mbps they will receive the subsidy."