Paper sorry for captions offence

The offending words that crept into the newspaper

An internal inquiry is under way at a Scottish newspaper after photograph captions were published which ridiculed people in the Borders.

The words appeared in the Southern Reporter below pictures of St Ronan's Games Week and Cleekum Ceremonies in Innerleithen.

Participants were described as "pious little bleeders" who should "get out more often".

The editor of the Selkirk-based paper has apologised for offending readers.

Newspaper statement

One caption read: "Caption Caption: about these pious little bleeders and the lady Busser doing that interminably boring thing so cherished by Border festivals. What on earth is going on in this picture - these people have got to get out more often for their peace of mind and sanity."

No-one from the paper was available for comment but in a one-line statement, Johnston Press's Director of Operations, Danny Cammiade said:

"This was an isolated incident for which the editor has apologised to the organisers. A full internal investigation is now being carried out."

The Scotsman newspaper reports the games committee treasurer, Norman Scott, as saying: "We had a great week of celebrations and now the Souther Reporter has destroyed everything.

"Whoever wrote these words must be at least in league with the devil."