Jim Clark Rally back on

The Jim Clark Rally will be going ahead this year, but it will not be taking place on closed roads.

Beginning in Kelso, competitors will drive over the Border to race in a number of Special Stages in Kielder Forest.

The changes come after three spectators were killed in last year's event, after a car left the road.

That led to a safety review set up by the Scottish Government, as well as investigations by Police Scotland, and Scottish Borders Council.

The review group's final recommendations were published last week, with key recommendations including:

• Tighter controls over volunteer marshals including the introduction of a mandatory marshal licensing scheme, requiring marshals to obtain a licence following mandatory training and experience

• Input from Police Scotland, including, where appropriate, police supporting implementation of the safety plan, a liaison officer attending rallies and training support at a national level

• Improving safety of the media through better management of press attendance at rallies, including a press accreditation scheme

• Ground rules drawn up for spectators, marshals and competitors on assisting cars back onto the road - a common practice at rallies

• Improved communication with spectators and the recommended adoption of international standards for identifying low, medium and high risk spectator areas

• Stricter control of marshalling numbers – a requirement for marshal numbers to be published in the safety plan and adhered to for each rally stage

The team organising the Rally says that, after the Council withdrew its permission for a closed roads event, the only option was to use private Forestry Commission roads.