A MAJOR upgrade is needed at a Borders crematorium to meet the requirements of new legislation.

A planning application has been submitted to Scottish Borders Council for a series of improvements at Houndwood Crematorium.

The work would involve the installation of a new filtration system, the replacement of external coolers and alterations to a wall to allow the new filtration system the space to function.

Houndwood Church was built during the mid-1830s to accommodate the Grantshouse and Reston communities.

The first service, at what was initially called Reston Chapel, took place in 1836, with Houndwood becoming a parish within its own right just 15 years later.

For 175 years, Houndwood Church was the religious heart of this beautiful part of Berwickshire.

But in 2003, the final Church of Scotland service was delivered at Houndwood before its closure.

The B-listed building was subsequently purchased by the Edinburgh-based Carlton Group and a rear section converted into a crematorium, with local carpenters, stonemasons, roofers and gardeners all used in the conservation and renovation work.

Houndwood Crematorium opened to the public in March 2015 and now has its own Garden of Remembrance where visitors can enjoy the solitude and reflect.

Facilities also include a chapel with seating for 120 people.

A report with the application says the proposed changes are “essential in the businesses function and statutory obligations to meet standards”.