Brighter signs for common riding

The Hawick cornet, who leads the town's common riding, is to be elected as usual despite an outbreak in the area of the horse disease strangles.

Concerns had surfaced about the town's common riding after the first two rideouts were cancelled as a "precautionary measure".

Organisers have confirmed that the cornet will be assigned his position at the traditional ceremony on 3 May.

They say they still hope to have as normal a common riding as possible.

Strangles is a disease affecting the horse's lymph nodes which is highly contagious.