PUPILS from St Ronan's Primary were given Royal approval last week when they performed at an awards ceremony in Edinburgh.

A total of 12 pupils from the Innerleithen school were invited to sing at the annual members’ award ceremony for The Scotland Malawi Partnership.

And guest of honour at the Edinburgh City Chambers was Princess Anne.

The school choir sang during the Princess Royal's entrance as well as at the conclusion of the ceremony.

St Ronan's headteacher Keith Belleville said: "We were delighted to be asked to take part in this prestigious ceremony.

"There is some real momentum behind our Malawi Partnership work and we’re very excited about developing and strengthening our links with Thondwe School in Zomba, Malawi."

As the awards were presented, clips were shown of the collaborative work done by individuals and groups to the benefit of both countries over the past year.

Particular mention went go to the 13 groups who shared a special award for the speedy and effect work they did together to alleviate the destruction caused by the cyclone in East Africa earlier this year.

These groups included Christian Aid Scotland, Wateraid, SCIAF, DEC, UNICEF Scotland, Tearfund Scotland and the Universities of Edinburgh and Strathclyde to name a few.

To conclude the ceremony St Ronan's pupils sang another two verses of the song, ‘Scotland and Malawi are Good Friends,’ which was originally sung last year by a group of Malawian children at the AGM of the Malawi Scotland Partnership in Lilongwe.

A spokesman for The Scotland Malawi Partnership said: "The St Ronan’s pupils’ singing was outstanding and they were a real credit to their school, parents and the Scottish Borders."