COMMUNITY leaders in Melrose have warned that any further council cuts could lead to tourists going elsewhere.

Earlier this year the local authority announced it is set to make changes to its maintenance services, which include reducing grass cutting and flower planting.

But Melrose community councillors are worried visitors may end up holidaying skipping the Borders if the cost-cutting exercises continue.

Vice-chairwoman Val Miller said: "I would urge councillors to be very careful when cutting nice things.

"We are a small town which relies on tourism.

"And if people come here for the first time and do not like the way it looks, they will not be back.

"It is all about good housekeeping.

"If people think our towns are looking a bit drab and there are pot holes in the road, etc, they will just by-pass the Borders and go elsewhere.

"We are told often that services will be cut, but it can have big consequences.

"To take Galashiels for example and Bank Street Gardens.

"We have to keep areas like that so when tourists come with the new Tapestry centre, they want to return.

"I have spoken to the groups in Galashiels and they feel exactly the same way."

At Wednesday's meeting of Melrose Community Council members also said there was not enough clarity on why the cuts had to be made.

Agnes Waldie said: "I think folk look at the cuts and wonder why kids are getting iPads, for example. They don't always understand how it all works.

"I don't understand a lot of it myself."

But local councillor Tom Miers (Cons) explained: "A lot of the decisions that have to be made now, are about where to cut revenue funding – the day-to-day expenditure.

"That means the money has to be taken from that budget.

"The iPad issue is a capital, long-term investment. That is a different budget.

"But the problem is, is that the council has less and less money to work with, so these difficult decisions have to be made.

"I don think sometimes that things could be done a little bit better, but the reality is the council does not have enough money."