A MEMORIAL bench dedicated to the memory of three prominent Galashiels men has been snatched from a cemetery.

The seat was one of two original memorial benches positioned in Heatheryett in the late 1990s.

But last month when family members were visiting a nearby grave it was noticed that the bench had been removed.

Checks have been made with the other families as well as the local authority's parks department.

And now its theft has been reported to the police.

A family member told us: "The bench was bolted in place so it wouldn't have been easy to take it away.

"People often sat on the bench to enjoy the view across Buckholm Hill.

"Our family are terribly upset by this and would appeal to whoever took it to return it."

The bench did have three small memorial plaques positioned on the backrest.