Galashiels goes global

A Scottish Borders town's competition to send "I Love Gala" bags around the globe had a fairy tale ending... the winner was draped over the Hans Christian Andersen statue in New York's Central Park.

Pictures were sent in from as far flung places as the International School in Manila, New Zealand and Fuerteventura.

It has also been embraced by members of the Romanian rugby team during the World Cup.

But judges gave the prize to Tom Kyle, who sent his bag all the way to New York, where it was pictured on the Danish children's author's statue.

Tom was presented with his prize of a Border Reiver statue, created and donated by Ballantynes of Walkerburn, at the Salmon Inn in Galashiels.

Tom said that he was amazed and proud to be the winner of the statue, which would hold a place of pride in his home.