The Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) is to host a series of seminars for local building contractors and professional agents.

The three workshops, which are free to attend, will provide local companies with additional knowledge and skills needed in relation to the repair and maintenance of the town's traditional building fabric.

Details of the seminars are:

• Tuesday 28 January, 8.30am: Roger Curtis (Historic Scotland's Technical Research Manager) – Standards and detailing in traditional buildings
• Tuesday 25 February, 4.30pm: Roz Artis (Director of Scottish Lime Centre Trust) – Effective repair of traditional stone and lime buildings
• Monday 31 March, 4.30pm: Richard Groom (Construction Industry Training Board) – Conservation training opportunities.

Each seminar will be held in the Ettrick Room at Ettrick Riverside Business Centre, Dunsdale Road, Selkirk. They are expected to last for one hour and Scottish Borders Council has said places are limited, so booking is essential.

Selkirk CARS is focused on a range of heritage and conservation-based regeneration activities within the town centre over a five year period. The project has an overall budget of just over £1m, funded by Historic Scotland (£795,000) and Scottish Borders Council (215,000).

(JP/MH)