COMMUNITY leaders in Selkirk believe that their £31 million flood protections have saved them for a third time already..

Last weekend's torrential rain led to the River Ettrick bursting its banks at several stretches upstream and downstream from the town..

And despite efforts to stem the water flowing into its tributary, the Yarrow, levels were close to a recent record high.

But the flood protections which run along the Ettrick for around two kilometres through Selkirk prevented any damage.

Selkirk Community Councillor David Deacon said: "I'm told that's the third time the defences have prevented flooding already.

"The river was as high as many people can remember at the weekend and the flood defences did their job."

Although the £31.4 scheme hadn't been completed when Storm Desmond struck in 2015, the water management system part of the defences at St Mary's Loch was credited with preventing properties in Bannerfield, Riverside and Ettrickhaugh Road being flooded.

And just months after the final sections of the scheme were completed in 2017, the Ettrick again surpassed the previous levels which would have caused flooding without anywhere being affected.

The defences protect around 600 houses and business premises in Selkirk.

Councillor Deacon added: "The fear of flooding has gone from Selkirk now and businesses can feel assured if they want to move into the Riverside industrial areas."