A SELKIRK couple had to flee for their lives on Friday after a terrorist attack on London Bridge.

Bryan and Helen Hoggan were celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary with a long theatre weekend in the capital.

But as they made their way from South Bank Winter Festival on Friday afternoon they were caught up in a knife attack by convicted terrorist Usman Khan.

The 28-year-old had already stabbed two people to death in nearby Fishmongers' Hall when he attempted to take his vicious knife-wielding killing spree onto London Bridge.

Although Khan was eventually apprehended by three courageous civilians and shot dead by police, hundreds of passers-by, including the Hoggans, fled for their lives.

Bryan told us: "We were heading back towards the bridge when we heard two loud bangs - a short time later a dozen shots went off sporadically.

"It was then that we realised something serious was happening.

"The panic really set in as a woman came running past shouting that there was a terrorist with a bomb.

"Everyone was getting out their cars and the busses and just running for it.

"It's frightening as you have no idea what's happening - you fear there are people with knives, guns or bombs on the bridge coming towards you."

Both businessman Bryan and NHS administrator Helen were ushered into a nearby cafe, where a waitress locked them inside.

And while they took refuge in the Pret A Manger kitchen with other terrified tourists, they were able to get updates of the events on their phones.

Bryan added: "The whole thing was surreal, but I couldn't help thinking that if we hadn't stopped to pick up street food as we were leaving the Winter Festival we would have been over that side of the bridge when the attacks took place.

"We didn't know if it was a single attacker or if there were more terrorists - a lot of people were panicking.

"There were police everywhere when we were let out the cafe and made our way back to the hotel."

As well as two people being killed in Friday's attack, three other victims required hospital treatment for their injuries.

Mr and Mrs Hoggan returned to Selkirk on Sunday.