BORDERS politicians have extended their support to staff who are set to lose their jobs at a local textile mill.

Up to 14 workers at Lochcarron of Scotland’s Selkirk site, at Waverley Mill, will be made redundant after a season of poor sales and low visitor numbers.

John Lamont MP, who represents Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk for the Conservative Party, said: "This is more extremely challenging news for Selkirk and the textiles industry in the Borders."

The Borders MP added that although businesses reliant on tourism may have a "tough time ahead", he strongly believes the textiles industry will be able to weather the storm.

He said: "The Borders textile industry is world renowned and I am confident that it will be resilient enough to weather this coronavirus storm.

"However, it needs all the help it can get, and this includes the USA dropping their damaging export taxes on cashmere products as part of their trade war with the EU.

"There has been a number of job losses in Selkirk over recent weeks which has been very disappointing.

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"However, with the local council and the South of Scotland Enterprise Agency working with both of Scotland’s governments, I am confident we will be able to attract new job opportunities to the town."

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame (SNP) also shared her disappointment at the further redundancies in the town.

Ms Grahame, whose constituency neighbours Selkirk, said: "The announcement of proposed redundancies at Lochcarron of Scotland is very unwelcome news, coming on top of previous jobs blows for the area.

"My concern and thoughts are with all of those who find themselves facing an uncertain future through no fault of their own.

"This dreadful pandemic is having a devastating economic effect all across Scotland and this area is not immune to these extremely harsh realities.

"However, it has not been all doom and gloom. The People's Energy company recently announced they will create 100 new jobs in the former OVO Energy premises in Selkirk. That demonstrates the Borders can compete for investment.

"And that recent good news should serve as a spur for everyone to redouble our efforts to attract quality jobs to Selkirk and the Borders that will safeguard employment prospects."

Meanwhile, Rachael Hamilton, the MSP for Ettrick, Roxbugh and Berwickshire, said: "It is worrying to learn of more redundancies in the Borders, especially in Selkirk which has seen multiple waves of job losses since the pandemic started.

“Lochcarron is an integral part of the Borders’ textile history and it is concerning to hear of this development.

“I am concerned for the staff who are experiencing this difficult time and I want to offer support wherever I can."

The Conservative politician added: “I will be liaising with SOSEA to establish what action can be taken to ensure that people find new employment or retrain. 

“Going forward we need the SNP Government to take seriously the immense challenges facing the Borders at this very difficult time”.