Police officers will be carrying out random enforcement of parking restrictions in Kelso following reports of misuse of the restricted parking areas within the town centre.

Scottish Borders Council, and Kelso Community Council, approached Police Scotland regarding this problem and now officers from the Community Action team who are funded by the council to concentrate on quality of life issues have been alerted.

Much of the town centre is covered by a two-hour maximum parking restriction, with no return within 90 minutes.

This is designed to ensure that there are spaces available for all members of the public to utilise whilst in the town centre for a short period.

Unfortunately, vehicles are sometimes parking in these spaces all day, thus limiting the available spaces in the town centre for others.

As a result of the reduction in spaces available, vehicles are parking in inappropriate and dangerous places, such as on single and double yellow lines, loading bays and taxi ranks say the council.

Kelso has a number of non-restricted spaces in the town, which can be found only a short walk from the town centre itself.

And with more awareness of these restrictions, it is hoped more town centre spaces will be available for visitors, shoppers and tourists alike, which in turn should benefit the town of Kelso and local businesses.

Details of all free and unlimited parking are available on the Scottish Borders Council website.