PEEBLESSHIRE residents of all ages came together to celebrate the enjoyment of books at a special event.

Eildon Housing Association's Riverside House in Peebles has regularly welcomed youngsters from around the town, recently, however, the children made a special visit for a session in collaboration with the Borders Book Festival.

As part of the weekly Older People Active Lives (OPAL) programme - a scheme by Eildon and homelessness charity Cyrenians - children  from Kingsland Nursery joined Riverside House residents for an intergenerational storytelling session.

Border Telegraph: Riverside House residents and local children came together to share a love of booksRiverside House residents and local children came together to share a love of books (Image: Eildon Housing Association)

Kingsland Nursery’s early years officer, Katy Noble said, “It was clear to see from the faces how much everyone was enjoying this special time.

"Many of the Riverside tenants said how they found it uplifting being joined by the younger ones, and how they greatly enjoyed their company and their infectious enthusiasm.”

The group of book lovers enjoyed an interactive and lively session which included watching a recording of Scaredy Bat by Jonathan Meres - a book which is recommended by Borders Book Festival on its website - and then as a special request, Elaine C. Smith's The Glasgow Gruffalo.

The OPAL programme helps to maintain and improve residents' independence and aids socialising opportunities across all of Eildon's supported and extra care developments.

Riverside residents then sat with the children and read a library book which each child had brought with them.

Border Telegraph: Kingsland Nursery pupils brought library books to be read by residentsKingsland Nursery pupils brought library books to be read by residents (Image: Eildon Housing Association)

Nile Istephan, Eildon’s chief executive, said: “We value our relationships with the Borders Book Festival, and we intend to replicate more activities like this across all our supported and extra care sites in the Borders through our successful OPAL programme with Cyrenians.

"It is such a positive and worthwhile thing to do, and sharing books is a great way to bring inter-generational communities together.

"A big thanks to the staff and pupils from Kingsland Primary School.”