Tartan battle taken to minister

Borders firm Robert Noble has been supplying the tartan for years

A Borders firm's fight to win a £1m contract to supply kilts to the new Royal Regiment of Scotland has been taken to the Armed Forces Minister.

Local politicians have joined forces to voice fears that the tender process could cost jobs in the area.

Lib Dem MP Michael Moore met Adam Ingram to put the case for Peebles firm Robert Noble retaining the contract.

The minister said the size of the contract meant it must go out to full competitive tender.

Mr Moore, who has been working with MSP Jeremy Purvis, put forward a proposal to split the contract between supplying the cloth and making up the kilts.

'Fair basis'

He was told that under department policy and public contract guidelines it was not possible to do this.

However, it is possible for a "prime contractor" to sub-contract the work to other companies.

Local businesses will now be briefed on how to tackle the tendering process.

"The contract arrangements are now clearer, but the minister must ensure that Borders companies compete on a fair basis and are not simply cast aside by the process," said Mr Moore.