A TOTAL of 24 play parks have reopened in the Borders.

All of the region's 243 play facilities were closed on March 23 – in line with Scottish Government guidance.

But following safety inspections, Scottish Borders Council has announced children can head back to some playgrounds from today (Monday).

Tracey Logan, SBC’s chief executive, said: “We all welcome the relaxing of a number of restrictions, including the reopening of play parks from today.

“Our priority remains the safety of the public and therefore we have decided to reopen our play parks on a phased basis to make sure we are fully satisfied they are safe to use.

“We have prioritised our new, large destination play parks which offer modern facilities and more opportunity to social distance.

“Signage will be in place at reopened play parks to remind groups about social distancing and hygiene guidance and further information will follow on the next phase of inspections.”

The play parks which are open from today are:

Berwickshire area:
Chirnside - Windram Park
Coldstream – Home Park
Duns – Public Park
Eyemouth - Coldingham Road and The Bantry
Greenlaw

Cheviot area:
Ancrum
Kelso - Shedden Park
Harestanes (Visitor Centre and toilets will remain closed)
Yetholm – at Sports Pitch
Jedburgh – at Town Hall

Eildon area:
Stow Park
Melrose – Gibson Park
Selkirk – Pringle Park and Bannerfield
Galashiels – Rowan Boland Public Park
Lauder – Croft Road
Earlston – at Primary School
Oxton

Teviot and Liddesdale area:
Hawick – Wilton Lodge Park
Denholm – Village Green

Tweeddale area:
Peebles – St Ninian’s Haugh
Walkerburn
Innerleithen – Hall Street
Clovenfords – at Primary School
West Linton – Lower Green