The cinema in Galashiels has closed its doors due to coronavirus.

The Pavilion Cinema, on Market Street, stopped showing films on March 17 as a precaution against COVID-19.

Manager Andrew Poole said these have been the "darkest and most difficult days" in his 37 years of running cinemas.

In a statement, Mr Poole indicated the closure would be temporary, but a re-opening date had not yet been fixed.

The full statement reads: "It is with an enormous sense of deep regret that we have to announce the Pavilion Cinema will close on Tuesday 17th March as a result of the Coronavirus.

"This decision has not been taken lightly and is a precaution to help protect the health and safety of our customers and staff.

"We would like to thank all our amazing customers for their support, particularly over the past few days, which have been the darkest and most difficult days of our 37 years of running cinemas.

"We would also like to thank our staff who have been extraordinarily supportive and understanding over this whole sorry situation.

"We would also like to make clear, THIS IS A TEMPORARY CLOSURE, to allow the Coronavirus situation to pass. WE WILL BE BACK!

"We just don’t know when we’ll be back at the moment.

"And the good news is when we do return, we will have an incredible slate of films to show our customers!"