A BORDERS man has admitted setting his friend's front door on fire with an accelerant.

Anthony Demarco, 39, of Duns, pleaded guilty on indictment at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to a charge of damaging the door of a property in The Mount, Duns, by wilful fire-raising.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had been under the influence of alcohol and was at a loss to explain the offence.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Demarco it was a serious offence and that all options were open to the court at the sentencing diet on February 15.

Sentence was deferred for the production of background reports.