CAMPAIGNERS held two 'die-in' protests in Galashiels at the weekend to demand action on climate change.

Members of the Scottish Borders branch of Extinction Rebellion lay on the ground outside the town's Tesco and Asda supermarkets.

And the 30 protesters handed out free tree seed planting kits and called on Scottish Borders Council to call a climate emergency.

The event coincided with October Rebellion actions in London and other towns and cities across the UK.

Retired GP Lesley Morrison who took part said: "Time’s running out to save the planet.

"We want Scottish Borders Council to declare a climate emergency, like many other Scottish regions have done.

"We want them to take much more effective action now, divest from fossil fuels, improve public transport, promote the use of bikes by making safe cycle ways, provide support for energy efficient homes and workplaces."

With spirits un-dampened by the rain, the rebels danced to the strains of Bob Dylan’s ‘Times are a-changing’ performed by busker Becca Williams.

And more sombre music accompanied this representation of the death of humanity, wildlife and ecosystems; while Kate Duncan, from XR Eastern Borders, made a speech.

Ms Morrison added: "We have very few years to turn things around and we have to act like we’re in an emergency situation."

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson told us: “The council agreed at the end of August, as part of the Embedding Sustainable Development report, that a first action for the Sustainable Development Group will be to review the recent decisions and actions of the UK and Scottish Governments and UK local authorities in declaring ‘climate emergencies’, with a view to making recommendations as to how Scottish Borders Council can play its part in tackling climate change.”

Details of Extinction Rebellion's meetings and events are available on its Facebook page at xrscottishborders